The Chair shall:
1) Enforce time limits and procedural rules established by this Policy.
2) Provide notice and redirect speakers who stray from the subject of the agenda, or the
subject matter jurisdiction of the Board or Committee.
3) Remove or mute speakers who engage in disruptive conduct, including behavior that
impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting, after appropriate warning that their
behavior is disorderly and that their failure to cease such behavior may result in their
removal, consistent with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
For the purpose of this Policy, “disruptive conduct” shall mean:
(1) Behavior during a meeting of the Board or Committee that actually disrupts, disturbs,
impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting;
(2) a failure to comply with this Policy; or
(3) Behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force that has sufficient
indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an
actual threat of use of force by person making the threat.
This Policy supports open, lawful public comment and does not restrict the public’s
right to express criticism or viewpoints regarding the Board, its committees, staff, or the
department.
F. Signs and Symbolic Materials: Members of the public may bring objects and symbolic
materials, such as signs or banners, to meetings of the Board or its committees, subject
to the following restrictions:
1) Size and Construction – No object shall be larger than two feet by three feet. No
sticks, posts, poles, or similar items shall be attached to any sign or symbolic material.
Items may not create a building maintenance problem or a fire or safety hazard.
2) Display and Conduct – Persons displaying signs or symbolic materials must remain
seated while doing so and may not raise items above shoulder level, obstruct the view
or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the conduct of the meeting.
3) Prohibited Items – Objects deemed a threat to persons at the meeting or to facility
infrastructure are not permitted. ORS staff and building security are authorized to
remove items and/or individuals from the meeting room if a threat exists or is perceived
to exist. This restriction does not apply to firearms carried by active or retired law
enforcement officers authorized to carry under applicable law. All other weapons,
dangerous materials, and items unrelated to the meeting that create a safety or security
concern are prohibited.
