Under a new law passed by the 113th Tennessee General Assembly and signed by Gov. Bill Lee, the Dickson City Council will add a public comment section to the agenda of regular public meetings.
Public Chapter No. 300 signed by the governor April 28 requires all local government legislative bodies such as city councils, county commissions and boards of aldermen to “reserve a period for public comment to provide the public with the opportunity to comment on matters that are germane to the items on the agenda” starting July 1.
The new statute also authorizes the local governing bodies to adopt “reasonable restrictions on the period for public comment” and establish the procedure by which the public may indicate an intention to make comments during a public meeting.
Under Ordinance #1535 adopted by the Dickson City Council on second and final reading during a special session Monday, April 26, the public comment period will be added to the agenda for regular public meetings following the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes and prior to considering old and new business.
At the same meeting, the council approved Resolution #2023-12 that establishes the City of Dickson Public Engagement Policy with the regulations and procedures for citizen participation in public hearings, the public comment periods, inclusion on the agenda and making requests of the council.
Public hearings are required on certain business considered by the council that includes budgetary matters, rezoning requests, annexations or other certain issues. In a scheduled public hearing, there is no requirement for advance notification of a desire to speak and the presiding officer can establish limits on the length of time allowed based on the number of speakers.
In the new public comment periods, citizens may speak related to any item that is on the agenda for consideration at that meeting. The council will place a sign-up sheet at each regular meeting and those wishing to comment during the period must register before the meeting starts and indicate the item(s) on which they wish to comment. Only those registering prior to the meeting will be allowed to speak. The presiding officer can set a time limit for each speaker and the council must make every practicable effort to allow opportunity for opposing views to be equally presented.
For public hearings and the public comment periods, groups or citizens wishing to express the same comments may be asked to designate a spokesperson to present those shared views.
The new Public Engagement Policy also incorporates the city’s existing policy for inclusion on the meeting agenda. Under this policy, citizens can request to be added to the agenda to address the council on a matter or issue that is not included on the agenda.
A request form available at City Hall and on the city’s website must be completed and submitted to the City Recorder’s office at least six days prior to the scheduled meeting.
The city also provides contact information for each city council member on its website and in 2020 adopted a policy by which citizens can make requests for items such as speed humps, street signs, street lights and other matters. The policy, forms and required petitions are available at City Hall and on the city’s website at cityofdickson.com.
Under each form of public engagement, the new policy establishes restrictions preventing malicious or slanderous comments, personal attacks and comments in support of or opposition to candidates for office. All comments must be directed to the presiding officer and not council members, city staff or agents or other speakers unless directed by the presiding officer. Allotted time for comments cannot be reserved or transferred and unused time is waived and forfeited. Speakers may not respond or make additional comments following their allotted time unless permitted by the presiding officer.
Any violation of the public engagement regulations may result in a speaker’s allotted time being terminated.
For more information on the City of Dickson Public Engagement Policy, contact City Recorder Chris Norman at [email protected] or (615) 441-9508 or visit the city’s website at cityofdickson.com.
The statute includes exceptions to the public comment period that include meetings where there are no actionable items and portions of meetings that consist of disciplinary hearings for a member of the governing body.
The new policy will take effect with the City Council’s next regular meeting rescheduled to 7:00 pm Monday, July 17. The council regularly meets at 7:00 pm on the first Monday of each month unless rescheduled by the mayor or council due to a holiday or other reason. The council’s Finance and Management Committee meets at 6:00 pm on the third Monday of each month. Meetings are in the Council Chambers at Dickson City Hall, 600 East Walnut St. and are open to the public.
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