#Set timer 12 minutes how to

#Set timer 12 minutes how to

Council would regroup and see how to move forward, and she asked the public to allow time for that. However, she stated, there were no plans at this time for any additional speed bumps. That group recommended a number of improvements, including speed bumps, and the City listened and acted. “Before the public made their comments, Learnard addressed the issue of speed bumps, noting that the City convened an advisory group last fall to look at the issue of safety on the multi-use paths. There were 22 people signed up to speak, and each would be allowed 52 seconds. “Public Comment - City Clerk Yasmin Julio stated that, as per policy, the allotted time of 20 minutes for public comments would be divided by the number of speakers, since that number exceeded 10. Here’s the section from the July 12 minutes that enshrines these insults for future readers: You are not allowed to publicize any grievance that might actually hold somebody responsible.

Don’t criticize any public official or city employee. And the clock is running.Īnd in addition, behave yourself, members of the public. If you don’t want to listen to the people who elected you - in two public meetings a month, for more than 52 seconds each - then you should resign.Ī special election can be held speedily, and with the city’s overflowing tax collections, the city can easily afford the extra expense to elect replacement council members with more respect for the public.įifty-two seconds. If city officials are worried about having the meeting extended to hear from the public (twice a month, remember), then bring your extra seat cushions, your water jug and be prepared to listen - with respect. Nothing you have on your agenda is more important than the time you listen to the people who elected you, face to face, in public, no hiding behind emails. Peachtree City Council members, you have two regular meetings a month during which you face the public. It’s an insult to the public, especially the clock ticking off 52 seconds per speaker. And people spoke - without a timer - for more than 52 seconds each.īut the current council seems to want to put the public in a tightly cordoned-off corral so as to not exceed the council’s arbitrary and capricious time limit of 20 minutes to hear ALL public attempts to petition their government. Both Mayor Kim Learnard and Councilman Mike King were present to hear citizens offer opinions about Great Wolf water park and an attempt to contract with the city insurance carrier to pay for individual lawsuits by council members or city employees against their own constituents.īoth attempts roused public anger and the council backed off both. At least two members of the current council have been present in past meetings in past years when crowds of citizens were allowed as much time as needed to hear everyone who wanted to speak. That strict time limit is a relatively recent development. It was a standing-room crowd at the July 12 meeting - more than 50 people. Some make this constitutional right as inconvenient as possible, moving the strictly allotted time far down the agenda and keeping the speaker’s time strictly monitored. All the local governments are guilty of this move to downgrade the right of citizens to speak out loud to their elected representatives during a public meeting.