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Frankfort plan commission adopts public‑conduct rules for large meetings
Summary
The Plan Commission adopted a public‑conduct code that sets a three‑minute limit for public comments and authorizes police removal of disruptive attendees; staff said the same rules will be proposed to the Board of Works and City Council to standardize procedures for large or contentious hearings.
The Plan Commission voted to adopt a written public‑conduct code for hearings and public comments that establishes ground rules for decorum and enables law‑enforcement removal of disruptive attendees.
Alicia, who helped draft the language with the police chief, told commissioners the code formalizes practices the commission has used informally and makes clear that speakers will have three minutes to address the commission and must remain respectful. “This allows the police department to remove anybody if they’re disruptive,” Alicia said, adding that the rules cite Indiana law and will be posted or announced at the start of meetings.
Commissioners agreed that consistent, written rules will help manage very large or heated meetings — staff cited the recent data‑center review as an example of when the rules may be necessary. The commission moved, seconded and adopted the rules for its own meetings and agreed to recommend the same language to the Board of Works and City Council so all bodies use the same procedures.
The commission noted it can amend the rules at the start of any meeting if an unusual circumstance requires shorter or longer speaking times.
