Resolution No. 23-42 CITY OF TIGARD, OREGON
TIGARD CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 23-42
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TIGARD ADOPTING A PROTOCOL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
WHEREAS,City Council meetings are a limited public forum,meaning that Council may adopt reasonable time,
place, and manner restrictions on the speech allowed during meetings, so long as the restrictions are content
neutral;and
WHEREAS,the Tigard City Council places a strong value on receiving public comment at meetings;and
WHEREAS, while City Council welcomes all viewpoints and perspectives, it does not condone discriminatory
or hateful comments,nor will it allow disruptions to conducting Council business;and
WHEREAS, the protocol for public comment establishes content neutral rules for the conduct of City Council
meetings.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Tigard City Council that:
SECTION 1: The Tigard City Council adopts the attached Protocol for Public Comment to apply to all City
Council meetings.
SECTION 2: This resolution is effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED: This day of Na ✓e of be/- 2023.
Mayor-City of Tigard
ATTEST:
City Recorder-City of Tigard
RESOLUTION NO. 23-42
Page 1
Tigard City Council
Protocol for Public Comment
I. Remarks to Council as a Whole During Comment/Hearings. Generally,
remarks should be addressed to the Council as a body rather than
directed to any particular member. A question may only be asked of a
Council member with the permission of the Mayor or presiding officer.
II. Respectful and Courteous Input at Public Comment/Hearings. The
Council's intent is to be welcoming and inclusive toward all speakers at
public meetings, and to create an atmosphere of mutual care and
respect. Council meetings often provide an opportunity to provide
public input, and for community members to share thoughts and
opinions with their elected leaders. Personal attacks or threats;
disruption of the meeting; use of obscene, vulgar, or discriminatory
language; or in any way discouraging anyone else from participating are
not acceptable. While community members may disagree with each
other or the City on issues and give critical feedback, they are expected
to do so respectfully, in accordance with these rules.
III. Disruption at Public Meetings. The Mayor or presiding officer may
interrupt members of the public speaking to Council if they are engaging
in personal attacks, attacks on identity (gender, race, sexuality, etc.) or
other discriminatory comments, engaging in accusatory, insulting,
offensive or harmful behavior that disrupts the Council meeting, or not
speaking to the subject matter of a public hearing.
Any member of the audience who disrupts a Council meeting may be
asked to stop, and if the disruption continues, may be excluded from the
meeting (or muted in a virtual meeting) by the Mayor or presiding
officer if necessary to maintain order, conduct business efficiently, or
allow others the ability to participate. Violations of this rule may be
stopped immediately, particularly related to discriminatory or racist
comments. Such disruptions will be addressed as efficiently as possible.
IV. Viewpoint Neutral. The Mayor and Council will enforce these rules
uniformly and treat all perspectives and opinions consistently.