PowerPoint Presentation

COUNCIL ITEM OF SPECIAL INTEREST
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
November 26, 2024

• Three areas we are trying to address:
1. Time limit of 3 minutes with no option for extensions, which has 
prohibited citizens from completing their remarks.
2. Cities nationwide are beginning to experience individuals actively 
testing the limits of the standard Rules and Regulations for 
public speakers.
3. We can’t control the conduct of the individuals speaking, and we 
currently broadcast/stream them without filters or delays.
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Issues of Concern

Glendale Charter - Sec. 13. - Council meetings; open to public. 
•
The council shall meet regularly at such times and at such place as may be 
prescribed by its rules, but not less frequently than two (2) times each month. 
All meetings of the council shall be open to the public and shall be in 
compliance with the provisions of the laws of the state pertaining to public 
meetings and proceedings. (3-16-76)
State Law
•
A.R.S. § 38-431 outlines law of Public Meetings referred to as Open Meeting 
Law (OML)
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Arizona's Open Meeting Law requires that "[a]ll meetings of any public body 
shall be public meetings and all persons so desiring shall be permitted to 
attend and listen to the deliberations and proceedings."  A.R.S. § 38-
431.01(A).
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Open Meeting Laws

AZ Attorney General Opinions I78-001, I83-049, I99-006
“While the OML grants members of the public an absolute right to 
attend public meetings, the OML neither requires nor prohibits 
participation by the public in the discussions and deliberations of 
a public body.”
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Public Meetings  
o The public has a right to:
Attend
Listen
Tape record
Videotape
o State Statute does not provide 
the public the right to:
Speak 
Disrupt
The Public’s Rights*
*Arizona Ombudsman Office Open Meeting Law 101

• Workshop
– No public comment on agenda items
– No call to the public on non-agenda items
• Regular Meeting
– Allow public comments on items on the agenda (3 
minutes)
– Public Hearing Items on Land Development Actions (3 
minutes) 
– Allow public comments on items not on the agenda
• Call to the Public (3 minutes)  
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Glendale and Public Participation

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Call to the Public
• Rules and Restrictions on Public Comments
– Public challenging restrictions in other Cities.
• Time Restrictions
– Speakers are regularly asked to end their remarks because their allotted 3 minutes 
have expired, and there is little flexibility for time extension.
• Channel 11/Facebook/YouTube Live Broadcasts
oChannels not tagged as Explicit or 18+
oAre not moderated for language or other content
oNo option to edit a replay 
oWe have no delay or cutoff option

Create New Meeting - City Council Citizen Forum
Citizen forums are separate noticed meetings held after the conclusion of each regular City Council 
meeting and any additional meetings as needed.
They allow citizens to raise matters concerning the Glendale City government. Community members 
may present their ideas, questions, or concerns to the City Council.
PERSONNEL
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The Mayor or their designee is the presiding officer.
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The Mayor shall preserve order and enforce the Rules of Decorum. 
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The City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, or their designees shall attend.
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Recommendation

City Council Citizen Forum
Guidelines
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The meeting will be posted online with a 6 PM posted start time or at the adjournment of the voting 
meeting if it goes beyond 6 PM.
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One agenda item – Call to the Public
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Per State Statute, the City Council will not answer questions, consider motions, or take other action 
during citizen forums. 
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Per State Law, Councilmembers can respond to criticism directed at them individually
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During the citizen forum, members of the public may provide comments for the City Council’s 
consideration. Public Comments are encouraged to follow the following criteria:
o The topic should relate to subject matters under the jurisdiction of the City
o Speakers should address the City Council when speaking, not the audience.
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Recommendation

City Council Citizen Forum
Public Participation
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The citizen forums are open to the public.
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Each speaker will be allowed to offer comments for a minimum of (3) minutes, and each speaker 
may speak only once per citizen forum.
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Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the Presiding Officer.
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Speakers may not gift their 3-minute speaking time or any remainder to other speakers.
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Large groups may designate a spokesperson.
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To avoid restraints on free speech and to stay in compliance with broadcast and streaming 
standards, the citizen forum will not be broadcast or recorded. Minutes will be taken in a manner 
consistent with state law.
•
ADA accommodations are available upon request; at least two business days’ notice is requested.
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Recommendation

Other Ways to Address City Council
While the citizen forum allows residents to address the City Council in person, anyone can contact 
their Glendale City Council member anytime. If you have a question or concern you want to discuss 
with your District council member, please call 623-930-2249 or contact them via the Council website.
The public may fill out a speaker card to speak to the Council during their formal meeting on any 
agenda item.
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Recommendation

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Consensus of the Council to Create Citizens Forum
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Adopt Resolution at the Voting Meeting tonight:
– Amending Council Meetings and Rules and Procedures
• Order of Business: Remove Call to the Public before Adjournment
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Schedule Citizens Forums directly after adjournment of all future Business 
Meetings
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Place Information online about the Citizen Forum
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Market and Advertise the Citizens Forum as an opportunity for residents to 
engage with their elected officials
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Next Steps