Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 2.05 Public Meeting Rules for Conduct

Understanding that the purpose of the city council meetings is to conduct the people's business for the benefit of all the people, in the event that any meeting of the city council is wilfully interrupted by a person or group of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of the meeting impossible, the mayor, mayor pro tem, or any other member of the city council acting as the chair may order the removal of the person or persons responsible for the disruption and bar them from further attendance at the council meeting, or otherwise proceed pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.9 or any applicable penal statute or city ordinance.

(Ord. 05-288 § 1 (part))

For purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words or phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

"Wilfully interrupt" includes, but is not limited to, doing any of the following after being directed by the chair to cease and being warned that continuing to do so will be a violation of law:

A.

Addressing the city council without first being recognized;

B.

Persisting in addressing a subject or subjects other than that or those before the city council;

C.

Repetitiously addressing the same subject;

D.

Continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired;

E.

Failing to relinquish the podium when directed to do so;

F.

Failing to sit down when directed to do so;

G.

As a speaker, interrupting or attempting to interrupt members of the city council or members of the city staff;

H.

From the audience: (1) interrupting or attempting to interrupt a speaker, members of the city council, or members of the city staff, (2) shouting or attempting to shout over a speaker, members of the city council, or members of the city staff, or (3) displays such as clapping, stamping, loud talking, hissing, and booing.

(Ord. 05-288 § 1 (part))

A.

The city council may establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings by resolution or an action of the city council in accordance with state law.

B.

Nothing in this chapter or any rules of conduct that may be adopted by the city council shall be construed to prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the city, or of the acts or omissions of the city council or city staff.

(Ord. 05-288 § 1 (part))

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 05-288 § 1 (part))