Portland City Council took the first step toward setting up clearer guidelines for public comment at its meetings.

Council on Monday approved an ordinance on first reading that details how to get on the agenda, sets up time limits for comment and includes a procedure for removal from meetings.

It will need to be approved on second reading before it goes into effect.

“Where did this come from?” asked council member Ron May in leading off the discussion about the ordinance.

Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake responded that it is an effort to set up guidelines for conduct during meetings.

Council member Dave Golden noted that the current city ordinance addresses the issue in a less-detailed manner. It reads: “No person shall use violent or contemptuous language, behave in a disorderly manner, or refuse to obey the orders of the Mayor or President Pro Tempore in the Council Room while the Common Council is in session.”

The ordinance as approved on first reading Monday lays out the following for public participation in city council meetings:

•Anyone interested in addressing the council should contact the clerk-treasurer by the Wednesday before the meeting in order to be added to the agenda.
•Individuals speaking in favor or opposition of a matter being presented will be limited to five minutes.
•Presenters may be limited to three minutes in situations in which a large number of individuals are in attendance in order to allow everyone a chance to address the council.
•The council reserves the right to deny an individual the ability to comment following a warning from the presiding officer if the individual is behaving in a manner the council deems inappropriate. An individual may also be removed from the meeting on the third warning.

“In most cases, this is not necessary,” said Golden, who is in his second term. “There was one instance when it would have been a very nice ordinance, so I think it’s proactive for the most part.”

Council members Kent McClung, Michele Brewster, Ashley Hilfiker, Ron May and Golden, absent Matt Goldsworthy and Mike Aker, approved the ordinance.

The ordinance, McClung pointed out, follows the structure set up by State Rep. J.D. Prescott’s House Bill 1338 that was approved this year. It creates a structure for local units of government to establish rules for public comment during meetings, including restrictions on time. It sets up a “three strike” procedure — two verbal warnings followed by removal — for enforcing those rules and clarifies that law enforcement officers can’t be held liable for removing individuals from those meetings.
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