Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 03-03-2026
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion, and possible modification to Request to Appear Forms and Guidelines for City Council meetings and all other City Boards and Commissions meetings adopted by City Council on February 6, 2018, as modified on April 20, 2021, including but not limited to consolidation of the Guidelines providing for a single set to apply to both City Council meetings as well as to meetings of Boards and Commissions; providing for cancelation or suspension of public comment periods; and setting forth criteria to be considered when canceling or suspending public comment periods
End
Background:
On February 6, 2018, the City Council adopted specific guidelines for when citizens wish to speak at a City Council meeting or before any other City Board or Commission. Specifically, City Council approved the Request to Appear Before the City Council form as well as the "Guidelines if you wish to speak at a City Council meeting".
On April 20, 2021, Council approved modifications to remove the requirement for public speakers to state their address and only require public speakers to state whether they reside or own a business in Broken Arrow. Public speakers were still required to provide their address on the Request to Appear form. In addition, there were restrictions added regarding the presentation of electronic or printed materials by the public during the public comment period and provided for their submission to the City Council, Boards, or Commissions.
The City has adopted the Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis, 4th Edition as the rules of order to conduct all City meetings. The rules provide the chairperson with broad power and discretion to manage public meetings. These proposed Guidelines explicitly enumerate some of those powers, including the power to interrupt or terminate public comment if necessary to maintain order, efficiency or safety of the meeting.
Additionall...
Click here for full text