HomeMy WebLinkAboutVOCH POTF revised draft March 25 2011.pdfPrivilege of the Floor at Meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights
Thank you for attending a Village Board of Trustees meeting. The following policy on public
participation in Board meetings is intended to invite your participation in the interest of open
government.
Meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights take place in accordance with
New York State law, for the purpose of Village governance. Meetings are convened by the Mayor
or by an appointed deputy. Discussion takes place among the members of the Board with the
Village professional staff. Minutes are recorded by the Clerk. As provided in the New York State
Open Meetings Law, all Board meetings are open to the public, and members of the public are
very welcome to attend.
Although not required by law, the Mayor and the Trustees of Cayuga Heights offer Privilege of the
Floor in order to provide individuals in the audience with the opportunity to voice their opinion on
Village affairs. In the interest of expediting the flow of Village business during its lengthy
meetings, Privilege of the Floor is open for 30 minutes, ordinarily following any scheduled Public
Hearings.
Because Privilege of the Floor is provided primarily to enable Village residents to address their
elected representatives on the Board of Trustees, Village residents are invited to speak first.
Upon arrival, all attendees are requested to sign in, indicating if they wish to speak and whether
they reside in Cayuga Heights. Attendees will be called to speak in the order shown on the sign in
sheet. Non-residents are invited to speak for the balance of the time remaining after residents
have finished.
Speakers are asked to stand unless prevented by a disability, to give their name, addr ess and
organization (if any) and must limit their remarks to two minutes of time that may not be yielded to
other speakers.
Speakers are requested to observe standards of courtesy and good taste and may be asked to
terminate remarks at any time by the Mayor or another presiding officer. Audience members are
asked not to engage with the speaker, or with each other.
The Village Clerk keeps time and gives notice when 30 seconds are remaining. Occasionally,
board members may ask a speaker for clarification.
Speakers are very welcome to submit their comments to the Board in writing for consideration
and attachment to the meeting minutes. The minutes will include all the speakers’ names with a
brief statement of their positions, grouped as Village and non-Village residents.
Although the public is only invited to speak during Privilege of the Floor, the Board may, at its
discretion, allow the public to speak at other times. Speakers must be recognized by the Mayor or
by another presiding officer.
Anyone with an interest in any facet of Village government is encouraged to contact the
Mayor, the Board of Trustees and the Village staff through email addresses found on the
Village of Cayuga Heights web site (www.Cayuga-Heights.ny.us).
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, Village of Cayuga Heights, April 4, 2011
.