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Hopkinsville council advances citizen-participation ordinance, adds five-minute cap and enforcement language
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Summary
The council passed first reading of an amendment to the Hopkinsville code that clarifies public-comment procedures — one appearance per meeting, five-minute limits, and authority for the presiding officer to remove disruptive speakers and request police assistance.
Hopkinsville — The Hopkinsville City Council advanced Ordinance 31-2025 on first reading Nov. 4, updating the city code’s citizen-participation rules.
The proposed changes amend section 31.04 to require that speakers use the designated podium, be recognized by the presiding officer, state their name and address for the official minutes, and be limited to one public comment per meeting with comments capped at five minutes. The ordinance adds that the presiding officer may order removal of obscene, unruly or disruptive speakers and ask the Hopkinsville Police Department for assistance enforcing those orders.
Council members spent substantial time discussing how the rule would be enforced in practice. Some members said the change corrects inconsistent application — some speakers were previously cut off while others were not — and argued that standardizing the limit at five minutes provides clarity. Other members warned that adding two minutes to the customary three-minute limit could meaningfully lengthen meetings and urged administrative solutions such as a visible light/timer system or mic control to enforce limits fairly.
The ordinance passed first reading on roll call, sending it forward for further consideration and final reading at a future meeting.
