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10/16/23, 9:56 AM Print Preview https://lakeelmo.municipalcodeonline.com/book/print?type=ordinances&name=TITLE_3_ADMINISTRATION 11/39 (4)If all business has not been completed by 12:00 midnight, the meeting shall be continued to another date and time following the notice provisions contained herein. (f)Public participation and comment at council meetings. Council meetings are the forum for the council to conduct the city's business. While council meetings are open to the public pursuant to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, they are not a forum for public expression. As such, members of the public are not allowed to participate in council discussion and debate without a specific invitation and/or formal recognition by the presiding officer. Members of the public shall not applaud, engage in conversation, or engage in other behavior through words or actions that may disrupt the proceedings of the council. (g)Members of the public shall follow the direction of the presiding officer. Members of the public who do not follow the direction of the presiding officer will be warned that further disruptive conduct will result in removal from the meeting. After such warning, if the conduct continues, the presiding officer may ask the member of the public to leave the meeting room. If the member of the public refuses to follow the direction of the presiding officer, the presiding officer may direct the sergeant-at-arms to remove the person through any lawful means. In emergency situations, or where the conduct is an egregious threat to the safety of the public or the council, a warning is not necessary before the sergeant-at-arms is directed to remove the person. (h)Public comment period. A limited forum for members of the public to speak with the council is provided on each agenda. Public comments during the public comment period are subject to the following limitations: (1)Speakers must be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking and are limited to six minutes for comment; (2)When multiple speakers appear to speak on the same topic, comments should not be repetitive. The presiding officer may request speakers to appoint a spokesperson; (3)The presiding officer may place a time limit on the public comment period if necessary to allow for the conduct of city business. If there is not sufficient time at the meeting to hear all public comments, the comment period may be deferred to the next regular council meeting or at a continued meeting; (4)Speakers must sign up prior to speaking and provide their name, address, and a brief summary of the subject matter which they wish to address. The sign-up sheet will be available at the start of the city council meeting; (5)Speakers must direct their remarks toward the presiding officer; (6)Speakers shall not use obscene, profane, insulting, or threatening language, nor conduct themselves in a threatening, loud, or boisterous manner that disrupts the conduct of the meeting or the security of the public; (7)Speakers are required to follow the direction of the presiding officer; and (8)The council will generally not respond at the same meeting where an issue is initially raised by a member of the public. Generally, the matter will be referred to staff for further research and possible report or action at a future council meeting. If council responds, council shall not interrupt or interact until all public comments are completed. (i)Public hearings. Public hearings are sometimes required by law to allow the public to offer input on council decisions. Unlike public comment periods, public hearings allow the public to speak on a matter currently before the council. When public hearings are required by law, notice shall be provided as required by state statute. Public hearings shall be commenced at the time advertised in any notice required by law.