72-24 Ordinance Amending Chapter Two, Article One, Section 2-12(13) of the South Bend Municipal Code

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(e) Individuals may not yield the remainder of their allotted time to others. (f) Individuals may only address issues over which the Council has jurisdiction. (g) Individuals shall not be permitted to address topics which have been previously resolved by the Council, or topics that the Council has heard previously that night on the agenda. (h) Individuals shall not be permitted to address topics which by statute or ordinance are confidential. (i) All comments shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any individual member. (j) The Privilege of the Floor is intended to afford citizens an opportunity to express opinions and to bring important matters to the attention of the Council. The Council and Administrative Offices shall not be required to answer questions and shall not engage in discussion or debate. (k) If an individual desires to submit written information, he or she may deliver it to the City Clerk prior to or during the meeting. (1) Persons in attendance shall refrain from behavior that disrupts the public meeting. (m) Speakers shall observe proper decorum at all times as determined by the presiding officer of the meeting which may be overturned only by a majority vote of Council members in attendance either in person or virtually. Proper decorum does NOT include using violent, rude, or contemptuous language, making personal attacks on any individual, behaving in a disorderly manner, or refusing to obey the orders of the presiding officer while the Common Council is in session. (n) If a speaker refuses to observe proper decorum, or otherwise comply with the rules for the Privilege of the Floor after one (1) warning by the presiding officer, that speaker will forfeit the remainder of his or her time. Section II. Severability. If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason declared to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section III. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.