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Trustees discuss public comment guidelines, agree to draft civility pledge and clear guidance
Summary
Trustee Sauter presented a draft public comment policy based on LaGrange Park and IML templates; the board discussed limiting back‑and‑forth to avoid Open Meetings Act risks, adding a civility pledge and improved signage, and tasked staff to produce a one‑page guideline to return at the next meeting.
Trustee Sauter introduced a proposed public comment guideline and the Illinois Municipal League civility pledge as a way to clarify expectations for speakers at East Dundee meetings. The draft would ask speakers to introduce themselves, state where they are from, adhere to a five‑minute limit and understand that public comment is not an agenda item for substantive board action.
Multiple trustees and village counsel discussed whether the guidance should be presented as rules or friendly guidelines. Counsel advised that while the Open Meetings Act encourages public comment, lengthy back‑and‑forth during public comment can raise concerns and that a written guideline gives the presiding officer a way to manage contentious meetings consistently. Trustees suggested adding a civility pledge, posting it on the podium and including it on the speaker sign‑in form so expectations are clear.
Board members generally favored a one‑page, plain‑language document in large font that explains time limits, the board’s response approach (staff follow‑up rather than immediate policy discussion), and a brief civility statement. Trustees volunteered to work with staff to refine the language and return a pared‑down version at the next meeting for review.
Next steps: staff and trustee volunteers will draft a one‑page public comment guideline and civility pledge for board review, and consider packet and on‑site posting options.
