01-13-03 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 2003 for the hearings. The Committee operates in accord with the Council Rules and Procedures and Roberts Rules of Order and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand serves as the Parliamentarian. The procedure for the Public Hearing for each bill is conducted as follows: 1. The title of the bill is read by the City Clerk. 2. Reports are presented from the pertinent Common Council Committee and/or the Area Plan Commission. 3. A formal presentation in favor of the bill which is not subject to a time limit is heard. 4. Comments are heard from members of the public who wish to speak in favor of the bill. Each such member is limited to five (5) minutes for his/her presentation and must begin by stating his/her name and residential address. 5. Any formal presentation against the bill or Resolution which is not subject to a time limitation is heard. 6. Comments are heard from any members of the public wishing to speak against the bill. Each member of the public speaking against the bill is limited to five (5) minutes for his/her presentation and must also begin by stating his/her name and residential address. With respect to those individuals speaking against, the total time for comments by members of the public speaking against the bill is the amount of time that was used by those speaking in favor of the bill or thirty (30) minutes whichever is greater. 7. A five (5) minute rebuttal period is allowed for the persons who gave the formal presentation in favor of the bill after which the public portion of the hearing is closed. Finally, the Council portion of the hearing takes place in which members will discuss the bill and vote on its disposition. Councilmember King noted that this evening there is one thing that the Council will do that is not part of the usual procedure. One of the bills coming before the Council tonight for ordinance consideration has to do with a change in the sewer rates. He further noted that there is a provision in the state law of Indiana that allows property owners who are connected to the municipal sewer system to object to an ordinance increasing or otherwise changing sewer rates. There are provisions in that state law which allow for the filing of a petition as well as the time frames involved. One of the provisions is that any person signing a petition for such an objection must have been present at the Public Hearing where the ordinance is passed which would be this evening if the Council passes the ordinance. Councilmember King noted that because there are probably many individuals present this evening who would want to have a record that they attended this hearing, Deputy City Clerk Janice Talboom has a sign in sheet which each of those present who wishes to have a record made that they attended this evening, is invited to come up and sign. Deputy Talboom will then certify that they have all signed this form and were present and it will become part of the Council's record in the event that anything unfolds in the future that requires proof of attendance.