LA PALMA : Speakers to Be Asked to Write Name on Card
Adopting the custom of many other cities, La Palma’s City Council from now on will ask those who wish to speak at public meetings to fill out cards ahead of time.
Brigitte Charles, assistant to the city manager, explained that people sometimes mumble their names when they introduce themselves at the podium. Accurate names are needed for the council minutes, she said.
The new procedure, approved by the council at its meeting Tuesday, does not change other rules. Each speaker will still have five minutes at the microphone, and more time in some instances, such as a presentation of technical data.
Speaker cards will be available in the lobby at council chambers before each meeting. The cards request that a speaker print his or her name and specify the agenda item to be addressed.
If a speaker wants to bring up an issue not on the agenda, he or she is requested to list the topic.
Council members emphasized that the policy is voluntary. State law “prohibits using sign-in sheets at [public] meetings,” City Atty. Joel Kuperberg said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
