For those who brave the public comment portion of City Council meetings, it’s a refrain often heard during speaker introductions.
A simply stated name followed by an “address is on record.”
The three-minute clock then starts ticking away as the member of the public gets an opportunity to profess just about whatever his or her heart desires.
Council members generally are OK with that last part. But for those who want to keep the introductions brief, changes could be coming.
Council members are reviewing a bill that would require more exact — and a little more audible — information from the public before they’re given the opportunity to speak at meetings.
Specifically, the big change comes on addresses.
The whole “address on record” line provided by the public would no longer be allowed. Instead, those speaking to council would be required to provide their full address.
The rule actually is on the books already, but over the years it’s been whittled away, council member John Crescimbeni told members of the Rules Committee on Tuesday.
He and council member Doyle Carter are co-sponsors of the bill.
Certain hot-button issues can bring masses of people to City Hall about a topic, such as the recent push to expand the city’s human rights ordinance to include the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Not everyone who talks on such issues are from Duval County, a point Crescimbeni and others seek to clarify with the bill.
“Unless they tell me, I don’t know,” Crescimbeni said.
Committee member Sam Newby, while pledging his support, said council needs to “hear the citizens of Duval County” on issues.
There was discussion to perhaps alter the idea. Instead of reciting an entire address, perhaps it would be better to just list a street, ZIP code or area of town.
Committee member Tommy Hazouri wanted to take it a step further by having speakers announce if they’re registered lobbyists.
However, none of the language was changed and the measure passed 6-1.
Hazouri opposed it because it didn’t go far enough.
It’ll be up for a full vote Tuesday. If it passes, the phrase “address on record” will be a once common phrase soon forgotten.
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