The Code of Conduct
promote open meetings that welcome debate of public policy issues being discussed by the City Council,
their Committees, and City Boards and Commissions in an atmosphere of fairness, courtesy, and respect
for differing points of view.
1. Public Meeting Decorum:
a) Persons in the audience will refrain from behavior which will disrupt the public meeting. This will
include making loud noises, clapping, shouting, booing, hissing or engaging in any other activity in a
manner that disturbs, disrupts or impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting.
b) Persons in the audience will refrain from creating, provoking or participating in any type of
disturbance involving unwelcome physical contact.
c) Persons in the audience will refrain from using cellular phones and/or pagers while the meeting is in
session.
d) Appropriate attire, including shoes and shirts are required in the Council Chambers and Committee
Rooms at all times.
e) Persons in the audience will not place their feet on the seats in front of them.
f) No food, drink (other than bottled water with a cap), or chewing gum will be allowed in the Council
Chambers and Committee Rooms, except as otherwise pre-approved by City staff.
g) All persons entering the Council Chambers and Committee Rooms, including their bags, purses,
briefcases and similar belongings, may be subject to search for weapons and other dangerous materials.
2. Signs, Objects or Symbolic Material:
a) Objects and symbolic materials, such as signs or banners, will be allowed in the Council Chambers
and Committee Rooms, with the following restrictions: § No objects will be larger than 2 feet by 3 feet.
-No sticks, posts, poles or other such items will be attached to the signs or other symbolic materials.
-The items cannot create a building maintenance problem or a fire or safety hazard.
b) Persons with objects and symbolic materials such as signs must remain seated when displaying them
and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or
otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
c) Objects that are deemed a threat to persons at the meeting or the facility infrastructure are not
allowed. City staff is authorized to remove items and/or individuals from the Council Chambers and
Committee Rooms if a threat exists or is perceived to exist. Prohibited items include, but are not limited
to: firearms (including replicas and antiques), toy guns, explosive material, and ammunition; knives and
other edged weapons; illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia; laser pointers, scissors, razors, scalpels, box
cutting knives, and other cutting tools; letter openers, corkscrews, can openers with points, knitting
needles, and hooks; hairspray, pepper spray, and aerosol containers; tools; glass containers; and large
backpacks and suitcases that contain items unrelated to the meeting.
3. Addressing the Council, Committee, Board or Commission:
a) Persons wishing to speak on an agenda item or during open forum are requested to complete a
speaker card and submit the card to the City Clerk or other administrative staff at the meeting.
b) Meeting attendees are usually given two (2) minutes to speak on any discussion item and/or during
open forum; the total amount of time allocated for public testimony for each public speaker or for an
agenda item is in the discretion of the Chair of the meeting and may be limited when appropriate.
(California Government Code Section 54954.3; Council Policy 0-37) Applicants and appellants in land use
matters are usually given more time to speak. Speakers using a translator will be given twice the time
allotted to ensure non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the Council,
Committee, Board or Commission.
c) Speakers should discuss only the agenda item when called to speak for that item, and only topics
related to City business when called to speak during open forum on the agenda.
d) Speakers’ comments should be addressed to the full body. Requests to engage the Mayor, Council
Members, Board Members, Commissioners or Staff in conversation will not be honored. Abusive
language is inappropriate.
e) Speakers will not bring to the podium any items other than a prepared written statement, writing
materials, or objects that have been inspected by security staff.
f) If an individual wishes to submit written information, he or she may give it to the City Clerk or other
