HomeMy WebLinkAboutA009 - Resolution amending Council's Standards of Decorum to require persons speaking to identify themselvesTo:Mayor and City Council
From:Mark O. Lambert, City Attorney
Date:November 18, 2025
Subject:Amendment to Council's Standards of Decorum
Item No. 9
MEMO
At a recent City Council meeting, a person speaking on an agenda item refused
to give his name. The Mayor allowed him to speak without identifying who he is.
Afterwards, Mayor Haila asked me if we can require that people give their names
and not allow them to speak if they refuse to identify themselves.
My reply was that legally we could tell the person they could not speak, but I
would feel better about that if we had it in our Standards of Decorum for Council
meetings, so that residents would be informed in advance of this requirement.
Upon checking with other city attorneys around Iowa, I discovered that several
cities have policies that require members of the public speaking to the Council to
identify themselves, and do not allow the person to speak if they refuse to do so.
A City Council meeting (or other City board or commission meeting) is a public
event. In order for the Council to hear concerns from a community member, it is
important that the person identify themselves so that follow-up assistance can be
provided if necessary. Doing so can also provide greater context for the
individual’s relation to the City (e.g., resident, business owner, etc.). Anonymity of
speakers does not foster community engagement and communication.
The City of Ames Standards of Decorum, adopted by the Council, addresses
expectations regarding behavioral issues at Council meetings, so this is where
the City should state this requirement. The Standards of Decorum can be found
here: Standards of Decorum - City of Ames, Iowa
It is recommended that the following language be added as a new Number
3 on the list (while renumbering the rest of the paragraphs):
“Persons offering comments at a public meeting must state their name; any
person refusing to identify themselves will not be allowed to offer
comments.”
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution adding a
requirement to the Standards of Decorum that persons speaking to the
Council (or at City board/commission meetings) must identify themselves
prior to being allowed to give comments.
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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