CHAPTER I | Citizen Participation Procedures

Chapter I
Citizen Participation Procedures

ITEM 1A | [Intro]

The following rules and procedures apply to citizen participation during Commission meetings, including committee meetings, group meetings, workshops, etc.

ITEM 1B | General Procedures

1. Official Commission meetings will be held in person at the location identified on the advertised meeting agenda, or virtually via the URL link provided in the agenda.

2. Anyone wishing to speak in person before the Commission at any meeting must:

a. At least 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting, register to speak by submitting a completed Appearance Form to the Clerk. The forms will be available on the Commission’s website or from the Clerk at each meeting. The Appearance Form must:

i. Indicate what agenda item the person intends to speak for or against; or

ii. Whether the person is providing public information on an agenda item and identifying the agenda item.

b. When a Speaker’s name is called, the Speaker will approach the public lectern (if in person), or unmute themselves (if virtual), and give the following information in an audible tone of voice for the minutes:

i. Their name;

ii. Their address; and

iii. If requested by the Chair, information on whether the Speaker speaks for a group of persons or a third party or represents an organization. If the person represents an organization, the Speaker must also state whether the view expressed by the Speaker represents an established policy or position approved by the organization, and whether the person is being compensated by the organization.

3. If a Speaker is no longer present in the meeting room or in virtual attendance at the time they are recognized, the Speaker forfeits the opportunity to speak and is prohibited from transferring the time to a different individual.

4. If a Speaker chooses to appear virtually by means of telephone, video conferencing, or other technology, it is the sole responsibility of the Speaker to ensure that they have the appropriate technology to do so. Public Appearance Forms can be obtained on the Commission’s website or from the Clerk and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (ET) the day before the meeting to the Clerk. The Clerk can be contacted by email at clerk@fchr.myflorida.com or by calling 850-907-6785. If, at the time they are recognized, the Speaker cannot be heard by the Board due to poor telephone reception, poor internet reception or other technology errors, excessive background noise or interference, or other issues, the Speaker forfeits the opportunity to speak and is prohibited from transferring the time to a different individual.

5. Groups of five or more individuals who wish to express their views collectively shall select one Speaker to represent the group’s views to the board. The group’s time is still limited to the applicable time allotment.

ITEM 1C | Visual or Electronic Aids and Handouts

1. For public safety purposes, no signs or placards mounted on sticks, posts, poles, or similar structures will be allowed in Commission meeting rooms.

2. Visual aids that disrupt meetings or interfere with others’ ability to view or participate in the meeting will likewise not be allowed.

3. Handouts the Speaker wishes to share with the Commission must be provided in advance of the meeting or presented to the Commission Clerk along with the Appearance Form. A copy of any visual aid or electronic aid a Speaker wishes to publicly present before the Commission must be provided in advance of the public meeting, along with a written request explaining the necessity of the visual aid or electronic aid.

4. The Chair may approve or deny such a request at the Chair’s discretion.

5. Electronic aids must be properly audible or observable to all members of the Commission and the public, cannot require extensive set-up, and may not be disruptive. At the Chair’s discretion, set-up time may be counted as part of the Speaker’s allotted time.

6. All content must be the Speaker’s own. In no event will a Speaker be authorized to display or present any visual or audio content recorded or taken from the internet, social media, television, radio, or other forms of media—including but not limited to videos, music, speech, sounds, or images—created, posted, streamed, owned, copyrighted, trademarked, or presented by any party other than the Speaker.

The Chair may immediately interrupt and terminate a Speaker’s speaking privilege for violation of this provision.

ITEM 1D | Authorized Time for Public Comment

1. Time for public comment will be allocated as follows:

a. A citizen may speak on an agenda item and is authorized to speak for up to two (2) minutes.

b. Public comment must be on a specific agenda item or non-ministerial actions of the Commission. Time will be allotted for registered Speakers prior to the Commission voting on that item.

2. The Chair or the Commission’s presiding officer has the discretion to limit the remarks of each Speaker to less than two (2) minutes based upon the number of individuals registered to speak, in order to allow more Speakers to be heard.

ITEM 1E | Special Circumstances

1. The Commission is not required to take public comment for:

a. Emergency situations affecting public health, welfare, or safety if compliance with the requirements would cause an unreasonable delay in the ability of the Commission to act;

b. Ministerial acts such as approval of minutes or ceremonial proclamations;

c. Meetings exempt or excepted from section 286.011, Florida Statutes; or

d. Meetings, such as workshop meetings, at which no votes will be taken.

2. The Commission Chair may waive any of these procedures in their discretion.