Coppell council adopts rules letting mayor remove disruptive speakers, sets appeal process

Coppell, Texas — The Coppell City Council on Aug. 12 approved an ordinance that spells out conduct rules for public comment at city meetings and gives the presiding officer authority to warn and remove disruptive speakers, with the council retaining the power to review and potentially suspend speaking privileges.

The ordinance amends Chapter 1, Article 1-10 of the city code and adds a new section governing presentations by citizens. Council member Michael Nevills moved to approve the ordinance; Council member Hina Hinojosa Smith seconded the motion. After a 3-3 tie among council members, Mayor Wes Mays cast the deciding vote in favor of adoption.

The council said the changes are intended to regulate behavior rather than speech, to protect meeting participants and staff, and to provide an objective procedure for dealing with repeated disruptions. City Attorney Robert "Bob" (last name not provided in the record) told the council that the draft was modeled on rules used by other Texas jurisdictions and that it focuses on conduct, not content. “As your lawyer, I would advise you to have some rules regarding conduct. I’m not worried about speech. I’m worried about people’s conduct,” Bob said during the work-session discussion.

What the ordinance does and how it would be enforced

Under the adopted language, the presiding officer may warn a speaker whose conduct violates the rules; a second warning can curtail the speaker’s time; and a third instance of continued disruptive behavior can result in removal from the meeting by the sergeant at arms. If a council member requests it, the council may later consider a…