Department of City Attorney’s Office
Reference: Resolution to Approve an Update to the City Council Rules
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Alicia Calderón, City Attorney
Date Prepared: March 11, 2024
PURPOSE
To pass a Resolution Approving an Update to the City Council Rules.
BACKGROUND
The City Council passed its first procedural rules in 2002 and has updated them regularly. At the Study Session on March 5, 2024, the City Council discussed possible updates to the Rules. These have been incorporated into the attached documents to reflect the direction provided at the Study Session.
The issue of how much time each speaker should be allowed was not completely resolved. Attached are 2 versions of the rules. One allows each speaker five minutes to speak, and it allows the mayor to limit the speakers to 3 minutes each when there are more than 10 speakers signed up. The second version limits speakers to 3 minutes each. This is the only difference between the two.
A review of other jurisdictions found that most allow 3 minutes for public comment (Thornton, Commerce City, Aurora, Broomfield, Fort Lupton, Loveland, Longmont, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge). One allows only 2 minutes (Boulder), and Broomfield cuts the time to 2 minutes based on the number of speakers. Only 2 municipalities in our review allow 5 minutes for public comment (Westminster, Northglenn).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Adopting Updated City Council Rules of Procedure
2. Rules Adopting 5 Minute Version
3. Rules Adopting 3 Minute Version
4. Redlines of 5 Minute Version
5. Redlines of 3 Minute Version