RESOLUTION NO.

R-2015-3-3
A RESOLUTION REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Sterling, Illinois, includes in its
agendas for its council meetings, commission meetings, and other meetings of city
entities a place for public comment to allow the general public to express its opinion and
point of view on various topics, particularly on items which are not included on the
agenda for Council action, and
WHEREAS, the City Council has heretofore allowed public comment, limiting it
only by the amount of time allocated to each person making public comment and the
numbers who might express themselves on any particular topic, and
WHEREAS, it is deemed appropriate that the City Council adopt a written Public
Comment Policy to guide the Council and the citys committees and commissions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, as follows:
That the City Council hereby adopts a Public Comment Policy as set forth
in Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof, to guide the City Council
and the citys commissions and committees in allowing public comment and
providing an opportunity for the public to express itself on matters of the publics
concern and interest.
That said Public Comment Policy is hereby adopted and shall be in full
force and effect from and after the passage and approval of this resolution.

Dated this ______ day of March, 2015.

_____________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
________________________________
CITY CLERK

EXHIBIT A
CITY OF STERLING
PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY

Members of the public shall be permitted to address the City Council during a
designated portion of each regular meeting, special meeting and/or committee
meeting, to comment on any matters of business under consideration by the City
Council.
In order to comply with Public Act 096-1473, the Sterling City Council hereby
establishes a Public Comment Policy to allow members of the public an
opportunity to address the Council. In addition to public hearings, a special time
is hereby set aside for the purpose of receiving comments and suggestions from
citizens. All comments made during the Public Comment period shall be subject
to the following procedures:
1. A Public Comment period, not to exceed thirty minutes, will be held
during all regularly scheduled City Council meetings each month.
2. Each person will have up to 5 minutes to make his/her statement.
3. Speakers will be acknowledged by the Mayor. Speakers shall address
the City Council standing by their seat and not approach the Council or City Staff.
Speakers will begin their statement by first stating their name.
4. Statements are to be directed to the City Council as a whole and not to
individuals. Public Comment is not intended to require the Council to provide any
answer to the speaker. Discussions between speakers and members of the
audience will not be allowed.
5. Speakers will be courteous in their language and presentation.
6. Only one speaker will be acknowledged at a time. In the event, a group
of persons supporting or opposing the same position desires to be heard, in the
interest of time, a spokesperson shall be designated to express the group's
concerns. Likewise, in the event the number of persons wishing to attend the
meeting exceeds the capacity of the meeting place, one or more delegates shall
be selected to speak on behalf of each group. If the time period expires before
all have spoken that will be given first opportunity at the next Public Comment
period.
7. Any action on items brought up during the Public Comment period will
be at the discretion of the Council. The City Council will not likely take any action

on subject matter for which they have not had the opportunity to fully investigate
and gather complete information.
8. Speakers should not discuss any of the following:

Public hearing items;

Candidacy of any person seeking public office;
Matters in current or anticipated litigation;
Matters which are closed session items, including, but not limited
to, matters within the attorney-client privilege, anticipated or
pending litigation, personnel, property acquisition; and matters
which are made confidential by law.

9. After the speaker has made his/her statement, he/she will be seated
with no further debate, dialogue, or comment.
10. Any applause will be held until the end of the Public Comment period.
Speakers shall not disrupt the meeting.

Adopted by the City of Sterling

City Council
March 2, 2015