CLEARLAKE — Mayor Judy Thein began the last Clearlake City Council meeting by presenting rules of conduct and she said she will do it again during this Thursday”s regular meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.
“Our meetings have not been running as smoothly as they should be,” Thein said. “There have been a lot of disruptions and a lack of respect toward the council, city staff and toward speakers. We need to maintain order in our meetings so that we can address the many issues facing our city in a courteous and professional manner.”
The primary areas Thein is concerned with are rules of decorum and rules of order. The rules of decorum state that while the council is in session, the members shall preserve order and decorum and no council member, staff or citizen shall, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the council nor refuse to obey the orders of the presiding officer.
“These rules are in place to allow each member of the public the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect their community,” Thein said. “We must maintain order so that all members of the public can be heard without fear of intimidation. Respect for the council and city staff must be maintained as well.”
Those members of the public addressing the council are expected to abide by the rules of decorum and are subject to removal if they fail to do so. Comments from the public are to be limited to three minutes per speaker unless the majority of the council votes to allow for further time. Additionally, comments are restricted to the issues of business which are being considered.
“There have been numerous occasions in which speakers stray from the topic at hand,” Thein said. “In order to conduct a more efficient session of business, there are times when we must assert a point of order to regain productivity.”
Thein said that speakers are also occasionally interrupted by means of points of privilege. She said that the council will not tolerate personal attacks of council members or members of city staff.
Thein said that consequences for failing to follow the rules during council meetings will be enforced if need be. According to Clearlake City Council Rules of Conduct of Meetings, Section 19, “In the event that any meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of such meeting unfeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in session. Only matters appearing on the agenda will be considered in such session. Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held pursuant to this section.”
The Chief of Police or such members of the police department as designated by the chief shall be sergeants at arms of the council and shall carry out all orders given by the presiding officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at council meetings.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
