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2 <br /> The Board's current operational framework also provides for public comments on all items <br /> appearing on Regular Meeting agendas. This includes Resolutions, Presentations, Public <br /> Hearings, and all other items that appear on a Regular Meeting agenda. <br /> The Board's current framework also provides the opportunity for public comment at any <br /> other specific Public Hearings as may be scheduled by the Board, such as the separate <br /> Budget Public Hearings meetings conducted each year by the Board. <br /> There is no current specific written policy regarding public comment at non-Regular BOCC <br /> meetings. However, the Board's general practice for more than 20 years has been that non- <br /> Regular BOCC meetings are opportunities for Board members to study, discuss and <br /> evaluate issues among themselves, with governing boards from other jurisdictions, and with <br /> staff. Since those non-Regular Meetings by practice have rarely incorporated actual <br /> decisions made by the Board, opportunities for public comments have been focused to <br /> Regular Meetings when the Board is specifically considering decisions on respective issues. <br /> This item provides the opportunity for the Board to discuss its current public comment <br /> framework for Regular Meetings as referenced above, as well as the public comment <br /> framework for all other Board meetings. Those other Board meetings include, but are not <br /> necessarily limited to: <br /> • Regular Work Sessions <br /> • Budget Work Sessions <br /> • Annual Board Retreats <br /> • Joint Meetings with Chiefs' Council <br /> • Joint Meetings with the Schools <br /> • Any Other Joint Meetings <br /> • Legislative Breakfasts <br /> • Special Meetings <br /> • Meetings Specifically for Closed Session Matters <br /> Chair Rich said Commissioner McKee and a resident, brought up this issue at a <br /> recent meeting. <br /> John Roberts said it came up because a lot of false information was being spread, <br /> alleging that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) was talking about things behind <br /> closed doors, which was not true. He said an item was just opened for discussion, and no <br /> vote was taken. He said the public does have an opportunity to make comments at public <br /> hearings, and the Board allows public comment at all regular meetings, which is well above <br /> the state mandated requirement. He said the topic in question was always intended to be <br /> continued to another time, and public comment was to be accepted prior to any vote being <br /> taken. <br /> Chair Rich said the Attorney's comments are based on page 15 of the booklet, <br /> where the procedures are outlined, and the Board did nothing unusual. She said the Board <br /> is being pressured to allow comments at work sessions, and has previously made the <br /> decision not to do this. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the points are all well taken, but in the abstract it says <br /> there is no written policy about non-regular meetings. He asked if the Board should codify <br /> some version of the Procedures that would specifically state a policy on public input. He <br /> summarized that public comment is allowed at all regular meetings, and the philosophy <br /> behind work sessions is to interact more directly with each other in an informal setting. He <br /> said no votes are taken, and any matter that is discussed must come to a regular meeting to <br /> allow public comment prior to a vote. He said public comment can also be made even <br />