Eastern Delaware County JRD adopts public comment policy requiring sign‑in and three‑minute limit

The Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District voted 4‑0 to adopt a public comment policy that requires members of the public who wish to speak at a meeting to sign in before the meeting, identify themselves and provide an address, and limit remarks to three minutes unless the board extends the time.

Legal counsel Mike Ringle reviewed the one‑page policy during the meeting, explaining the document’s main points: “The policy provides that any individual who wishes to speak to the board must contact the board, must sign in prior to the meeting, and that they can only speak to the topics that are germane to the agenda,” and that speakers who are disruptive or use profanity could be removed under the policy.

Board members agreed to add sign‑in details to a speaker form. The form will request name, address and the subject of comments and may include an optional email address so staff can follow up after the meeting. The board noted it will place public comment in the agenda sequence after approval of minutes and before other business so speakers know when to present.

Chair Watson moved adoption of the public comment policy as amended to require name and address on the sign‑in form; the motion was seconded and carried 4‑0.

Board members and staff discussed using existing municipal websites or a consultant landing page to accept electronic feedback during the community‑engagement portion of the RFQ process. Staff said the City of Sunbury sometimes links to consultant pages for large projects and that the RFQ could ask proposers how they would handle online engagement. No additional formal action on social media or electronic feedback platforms was taken at the meeting.