Teton County Board of County Commissioners
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Teton County Board of County Commissioners Rules of Meeting Procedures adopted January 7, 2014 pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) STATE OF WYOMING } } COUNTY OF TETON } 7th Received and Filed this day of January, 2014 at ‘/0 TETONCOU NTY 4 WYOMING I Teton County Board of County Commissioners Strategic Plan Mission Vision Values The mission of Teton County, Wyoming We are partners and Leadership, Stewardship, government is to support the well-being of its stewards to ensure a Transparency, Sustainability, residents by providing responsive and efficient healthy community, Collaboration, Teamwork, services; providing programs and facilities that environment and economy Integrity, Trust, contribute to public health, safety and welfare; for this and future Professionalism, and and supporting the community’s goals as generations Objectivity expressed in the Jackson Teton County Comprehensive Plan Statements of Strategic Intent Organizational Excellence Environmental Stewardship We provide high quality and efficient government services We actively protect and enhance our unique landscape in a collaborative, fiscally responsible and respectful and environment, which underpin our economy, manner for the benefit of Teton County residents and community, heritage and future well-being. visitors. Goals: Goals: • Increase information sharing and communication with • Support an integrated and efficient multi-modal the public transportation system • Define and provide a consistent high standard of • Implement land use policies that preserve open space customer service across all County Agencies and wildlife habitat and protecting air and water quality • Cultivate excellent organizational leadership • Facilitate sustainable living and business practices in • Encourage innovation and best practices across our our community organization • Reduce Teton County’s environmental footprint • Attract, develop, motivate and retain a high performing through sustainable practices county workforce • Partner and collaborate with local, state, federal and • Provide a positive work environment that supports other agencies employees personal and professional well being Vibrant Community Economic Sustainability We work here and live here. We volunteer; ride bikes, We invest in infrastructure, energy efficiency, and public horses and skis here. We are healthy, well protected and projects that allow our economy to grow in a way that take care of each other and the environment. minimizes environmental pressure. Goals: Goals: • Provide services to ensure personal and community • Partner to develop economic vitality consistent with safety community values as expressed in the Comprehensive • Promote access to quality and affordable public health, Plan social services and transit for people of all income levels • Maintain a diverse workforce which live locally to • Support access to quality and affordable recreation, enhance and support our business community education, arts and culture for residents and visitors • Deliver efficient government services to ensure the • Support a range of workforce housing opportunities safety and welfare of residents and visitors • Engage the community and invite civic participation • Acquire lands and facilities strategically to meet future • Foster a well planned and livable community community needs adopted 7/16/2013 Board of County Commissioners Working Agreement 2014 1. The Chair’s role is to facilitate the meeting and move the conversation towards a clear outcome. 2. When decisions are made, the Chair becomes the point of contact and spokesperson for the Board. 3. Board Members speak for themselves not for the board unless asked by the board to be the spokesperson. 4. Board should conduct a fair and collaborative debate and strive for consensus. 5. Assume positive intentionality. 6. Arrive at all meetings highly prepared with the spirit of inquiry. Gather relevant information in advance. 7. Board Members should declare their positions but remain open to all of the information presented, the perspective of other Board Members and public comment. 8. Board Members should express their opinion, vote and move forward. Do not take it personally if your issue loses. 9. Ride for the brand: when a motion passes, support the Board’s decision, even if you voted against it. 10. Take the time to get it right. 11. Do not undermine or ambush other Board Members or Staff during a public meeting. 12. If you have questions of staff, or concerns about their presentation, let them know in advance. 13. Treat each other with respect and maintain civility. Every Member has something to teach you. 14. Public decisions happen in public settings. 15. All requests to staff go through the BCC Administrator. All direction to staff comes from the Board. Be respectful of staff time when making inquiries. 16. Board Members will speak one at a time, not interrupt, and minimize back and forth debate. 17. Act as a positive role model. ND DATED JANUARY 7, 2014 J4 hcji,e, Index Purpose and Authority Chapter 1 Meetings Rule 1-1 Action Meetings Rule 1-2 Day-to-Day Administrative Activity and Updates Rule 1-3 Executive Sessions Rule 1-4 Open Meetings Rule 1-5 Public Participation Rule 1-6 Commissioner Participation by Telephone or other Electronic Means Rule 1-7 Meetings Conducted by Electronic Means or other form of communication Rule 1-8 Recess Rule 1-9 Disruption of Meetings Rule 1-10 Minutes Rule 1-11 County Clerk Attendance Chapter 2 Conduct of Meetings Rule 2-1 Rules Governing Procedures; Suspension of Rules Rule 2-2 Applicability of Robert’s Rules of Order Rule 2-3 Presiding Officer Rule 2-4 Call to Order Rule 2-5 Order of Business Rule 2-6 Public Participation Rule 2-7 Preservation of Order Rule 2-8 Sergeant-at-Arms Rule 2-9 County Commissioners to Observe Order Rule 2-10 Procedure to Obtain Floor Rule 2-11 Limit on Speaking on the Question Rule 2-12 Motions Generally Rule 2-13 Division of Question Rule 2-14 Statement of Reasons of Voting Rule 2-15 Subsidiary Motions Chapter 3 Meeting Minutes Purpose and Authority The Wyoming Constitution provides in Section 22 of Article 1: The right to petition, and of the people peaceably to assemble to consult for the common good, and to make known their opinions, shall never be denied or abridged. And the U.S. Constitution provides in the 1st Amendment that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances. With full compliance to the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions the Teton County Board of County Commissioners promulgate these rules and regulations in order to ensure orderly meetings that encourages public participation. The following guiding principles have been the foundation of the formation of these rules: • The Commission must act as a body • The Commission should proceed in the most efficient manner possible. • The Commission must act by at least a majority. • Every Commissioner must have an equal opportunity to participate in decision- making. • The Commissioner’s Rules of Procedure must be followed consistently. • The Commission’s actions should be the result of a decision on the merits and not a manipulation of the procedural rules. • Meetings are accomplished in the spirit of openness with the encouragement of public participation. No deliberative body can efficiently perform without rules of procedure. While rules cannot ensure civility and comment accuracy, or eliminate demagogy, clear rules and their fair and consistent application can lead to an orderly process. Our system of government, with its foundation in a robust, free exchange of ideas and lofty First Amendment aspirations, militates against controlled civil discourse. Certainly, civility cannot be mandated, but order has to be maintained. At the same time, the Commission has to provide a broad opportunity for public participation. As said by Justice Felix Frankfurter in Baumgartner v. United States, 322 U.S. 665, 673-4 (1944), “One of the prerogatives of American citizenship is the right to criticize public men and measures – and that means not only informed and responsible criticism but the freedom to speak foolishly and without moderation.” The following rules are content-neutral time, place, and manner regulations which are narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest, and leave open ample alternative channels of communication. The significant government interest being an orderly meeting. Rules of Meeting Procedures adopted January 7, 2014 1 Chapter 1 Meetings Rule 1-1 Action Meetings A. Regular Meetings 1. The regular meetings of the Board of County Commissioners shall be on those dates delineated in the Annual Teton County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Schedule Resolution adopted in November of each year. The regular meetings include all Voucher Meetings delineated on the same Meeting Schedule Resolution. 2. All Regular meetings shall be held in the commissioner chambers of the Teton County Administrative Office located at 200 S. Willow St., Jackson, Wyoming, or at such other location within the county as may be necessary due to limitations of space or other reasons. (W.S. §16-4-404(a), LexisNexis 2013) 3. Any person may request to receive notice of all Regular and Special Meetings of the County Commission from the County Clerk, so long as the request is in writing and is renewed annually. B. Special Meetings 1. Special meetings may be called by the Chair by giving verbal, electronic or written notice of the meeting to each member of the County Commission and to each newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station requesting notice. The notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted and shall be issued at least eight (8) hours prior to the commencement of the meeting. Proof of delivery of verbal notice to the newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station may be made by affidavit of the clerk or other employee responsible for distribution of the notice of the meeting. (W.S. §16-4-404(b), LexisNexis 2013) 2.