Council updates rules of procedure and decorum, expands public comment and liaison reports

The Richfield City Council on Sept. 23 adopted a resolution updating its rules of procedure and decorum. The changes clarify public participation, increase public comment time to 30 minutes with a three-minute limit per speaker (extendable by council consensus), add a "hats off" agenda item for brief liaison reports, and revise procedures for appealing rulings of the presiding officer. Why it matters: the rules guide how the council conducts meetings, how the public participates and how the presiding officer manages agenda order and decorum. Staff consolidated edits the council previously discussed and incorporated council direction on multiple sections. Revisions noted in the record include allowing the presiding officer to vary the order of business with council input and clarifying that items added to an agenda by majority vote may not create a new item that would legally require additional public notice or hearing. The revised decorum language focuses primarily on council conduct and clarifies enforcement steps staff may take in certain situations, the city attorney said. Council approved the resolution after a second and a brief discussion; staff will publish the updated rules as adopted.