PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT BOARD MEETINGS POLICY

The Berthoud Community Library District (“BCLD”) encourages members of the public to
attend meetings of the BCLD Board of Trustees (“Board”). It is the policy of the Board to invite
public participation during the public comment period during the meeting as stated on the
meeting agenda.

Guidelines for Public Introductions and Comment

1. Members of the public have the right and are encouraged to attend Board meetings,
   observe its deliberations and participate at appropriate times.

2. Individuals or organizations desiring to speak at a Board meeting shall request time to
   speak at a scheduled meeting by notifying the Library CEO or the Board president at
   least three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting. The request must include the
   individual’s or organization’s name, address, purpose of request and the topic or issue
   to be addressed. However, the Board may agree, by majority vote of the Board
   members, to hear any individual or organization at any time, notwithstanding the
   requirements for notice above.

3. Cardholders who reside or own property within the BCLD may speak when
   recognized by the Board President. However, the Board may at their discretion
   choose to allow participation from others.

4. Any individual who wishes to speak at a Board meeting must first be recognized by
   the Board president. Should the request to speak be granted, the speaker shall have 3
   minutes to make their presentation. If there are numerous requests to address the
   Board on the same issue, the Board President may select representatives to speak on
   each side of the issue. Those who have been recognized to address the Board are
   required to state their name and address before speaking.

5. The Board President may:

   • prohibit public comments which are frivolous, repetitive, or harassing;

   • interrupt, warn, or terminate a person's statement when the statement is too lengthy, personally directed, abusive, obscene, or irrelevant;

   • request any individual to leave the meeting when that person behaves in a manner

     that is disruptive of the orderly conduct of the meeting;

   • request the assistance of law enforcement officers in the removal of a disorderly

     person when that person's conduct interferes with the orderly progress of the meeting;

   • call for a recess or an adjournment to another time when the lack of public decorum so interferes with the orderly conduct of the meeting as to warrant such action;

   • waive these rules with the approval of the Board when necessary for the protection

     of privacy or the administration of the Board's business.

6. The purpose of the public comment period is for the public to express their opinions or
   concerns about matters over which the Board has authority or responsibility.
   Comments are intended to be statements from speakers; speakers may not engage the Board in a question and answer exchange during public comments. Questions relating to library or administrative procedures which could be addressed outside of a library board meeting and should be referred to the appropriate library staff at other times. Expressions of opinion about these matters are appropriate for the public comment at the meeting.

7. The procedures in this policy are not designed to restrict the scheduled presentation by
   members of the public who have regular business with the Board and whose
   presentations on the Board meeting agenda.

Revised 6/8/2016; 4/10/2019; 5/11/2022; 6/8/2022; 2/12/2025