— Members of a committee tasked with reviewing policies governing conduct and public input during city meetings identified key issues they would like to see changed and put into effect.

Much of the discussion Monday centered around improved communications with residents regarding the rules, expanding time limits and limiting offensive conduct.

Committee members incorporated suggestions by residents who attended a meeting two weeks ago with their concerns, providing guidance in drafting a new ordinance.

Ward IV Councilor Wayne Johnson, who requested the formation of the committee after he noticed inconsistencies in the way present policies are practiced, initially recommended an overhaul of the rules.

After discussing suggested changes Monday, Johnson said current council policies would serve as a guide to a revised ordinance. Johnson hopes the new ordinance would provide residents with a clearer understanding of the rules and the expectations of all parties, he said.

Toward that end, the committee reviewed proposed forms Johnson assembled that spell out the rules for public speakers. One form would be used for speakers who want to address an agenda item being considered by city councilors. The second would be used for residents who want to address the City Council about an issue not on the agenda.

The primary distinction between the two involves open meeting laws that prohibit city councilors from discussing non-agenda items. Committee members have expressed concern about the public’s perception resulting from the silence that now follows a resident’s comments.

“My concern is making sure when somebody walks in the door back there they know what the procedure is,” Johnson said. Providing the suggested forms at a sign-up table with someone available to assist would help curb expectations, he said.

The forms also would provide a place for residents to briefly identify the issue of concern and the action sought. City Clerk Pam Bates suggested including a mechanism by which city councilors would learn what was done internally to address a resident’s concern, which was well accepted.

With regard to time limits, committee members appeared to agree that the three-minute cap should be increased to five minutes. A resident whose concern could require additional time or supplemental materials for presentation could submit a written request three business days in advance for special consideration.

Committee members also discussed acceptable conduct, expressing concerns about identifying people by name and making disparaging remarks. They explored the idea of using the 10-second delay for the televised feed to censor such conduct.

That suggestion, however, drew a quick response from Assistant City Attorney Matthew Beese, who expressed concerns about censorship and possible repercussions.

“Profanity is pretty much a given,” Beese said about censoring comments. “Anything else, you might be creating a problem.”

Committee member Martha Alford said her experience has shown residents have the “common sense” to conduct themselves properly. Police Chief Rex Eskridge said he could not recall “any occasion where we’ve had any problems or had to remove anybody” from a city meeting.

Nevertheless, some of the committee members said they would like to learn more about the technological capabilities of censoring offensive comments. A presentation of that information is expected when the committee meets again at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Muskogee Municipal Building.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.