By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Robust debate is welcome – but threats, insults and intimidation are not under a new ordinance addressing conduct at public meetings in Bowling Green.
City Council heard the first reading this week of the ordinance covering civility and rules of decorum at city meetings. The ordinance is not intended to deprive anyone of the right to freedom of expression – but rather to maintain a safe, productive and harassment-free workplace for city staff, and a non-threatening environment for visitors and customers.
The ordinance was introduced by City Council member Greg Robinette.
The legislation “had its genesis in my experiences and observations of interaction between citizens and elected (or appointed) officials over a period of 17 years in Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, Planning Commission meetings, Special Zoning Committee meetings, and City Council meetings,” Robinette said.
Under the new legislation, all interactions between city staff, elected officials, and members of the public will be conducted in a respectful manner. Threats will not be tolerated.
Members of the public will refrain from any behavior that disrupts or threatens to disrupt city government operations, including:
- Insulting, demeaning, intimidating or offensive communications.
- Harassment or intimidation of any city staff, elected official or member of the public.
- Willful destruction or damage of property.
- Conduct that threatens or provokes a violent reaction.
- A continuing pattern of disruptive behavior.
The ordinance also addresses the rules of decorum at public meetings. City boards, commissions and community groups holding public meetings often cover controversial issues that involve conflicting opinions.
“An atmosphere of incivility and disrespect at these meetings can stifle participation and debate, threaten the quality of decisions, and undermine the local democratic process,” the ordinance states. “Adopting rules of decorum applicable to all public meetings will help ensure that civic engagement and local democracy continue to flourish in Bowling Green.”
The rules of decorum addressed in the ordinance are:
- No person attending a public meeting shall engage in disorderly or boisterous conduct, including applause, whistling, stamping of feet, booing, or making any loud, threatening, profane, abusive, personal, impertinent or slanderous utterance that disturbs, disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting.
- All remarks by members of the public shall be addressed to the council president, or presiding officer, and not to any other member of the public, city employee, council member, board or commission member unless in response to a question from that member.
- Signs, placards, banners or other similar items will not be permitted in the audience during a public meeting if they disrupt the meeting.
- All those attending a public meeting will remain seated in the seats provided, unless addressing the body at the podium, entering or leaving the meeting.
The ordinance also addresses the enforcement of the rules of decorum:
- The presiding officer will be responsible for maintaining the decorum at a public meeting.
- The presiding officer will order anyone violating the rules of decorum to cease any offending conduct.
- If the person continues to violate the rules, they can be ordered to leave.
- If that person refuses to leave, a law enforcement officer can be directed to remove the person from the public meeting.
