Public Discussion

The Board of Directors encourages public participation. Any member of the public may address the Board on any item of interest to the public that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the District that is not on the agenda, subject to the time limits and restrictions for public comments on agenda items.

The Board shall not engage in debate, dialogue, or take action on any matter brought to its attention under public discussion, except to ask a question for clarification, briefly respond to statements or questions, request staff to report back at a subsequent meeting, or take action to place the matter on a future agenda for consideration and action.

There is a three-minute time limit on public comment, subject to reasonable modification by the President of the Board. Persons who speak during the public comment portion of the agenda or during public participation on an individual agenda item may pool their time with others when to do so will allow a group of speakers to consolidate and shorten their remarks. Each person who is donating time shall be present in the room when the pooled-time speaker is heard.

Any member of the public may address the Board on any item on the agenda at the time that item is being considered by the Board.

Placing an Item on the Agenda

Any member of the public may request that a matter directly related to District business be placed on the agenda of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, subject to the following conditions:

1. The request must be in writing and be submitted to the Clerk, together with supporting documents and information, at least seven business days prior to the date of the meeting.
2. The Clerk will discuss the request with the Fire Chief and the Board President for a determination for inclusion on the agenda.

Once a determination has been made for inclusion on the agenda, the Fire Chief or designee will prepare a staff report based on the documentation received. The staff report will be forwarded to the Board for discussion at the Board meeting.

The individual can also make this request during the Public Discussion section of any Board meeting.

The public does not have the right to demand that an item be placed on the agenda; the control of the agenda is a matter determined by the Board.

No matter which is legally a proper subject for consideration by the Board in closed session will be accepted under this policy.

The Board may place limitations on the total time to be devoted to a public request issue at any meeting and may limit the time allowed for any one person to speak on the issue at the meeting.

This policy does not prevent the Board from taking testimony at regular and special meetings of the Board on matters which are not on the agenda which a member of the public may wish to bring before the Board. However, the Board shall not discuss or take action on such matters at that meeting.