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Hopkinsville council adopts ordinance clarifying public comment rules
Summary
On Nov. 18 the council adopted Ordinance 31-2025 to amend §31.04 of the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances, specifying podium-only comments, name/address for minutes, one appearance per meeting and a five‑minute time limit; the ordinance includes enforcement language authorizing the presiding officer and police assistance.
At the Nov. 18 Hopkinsville City Council meeting, the city clerk read Ordinance 31‑2025, a second reading amending section 31.04 (Citizen Participation) of the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances to clarify procedures for public comment at council meetings and public hearings.
The ordinance states that members of the public wishing to address council must speak only from the designated podium, be recognized by the presiding officer and state their name and address for the official minutes; members of the public may address council only once per meeting and comments are limited to five minutes. The ordinance further states that the presiding officer may order disruptive attendees to leave and may request the Hopkinsville Police Department assist in enforcing those orders.
The motion to adopt was moved and seconded; the clerk called the roll and recorded affirmative votes sufficient for adoption.
The amendment also includes a severability clause and states the ordinance will take effect after passage and publication according to law.
