Meeting Decorum and Protocol
Participating in a Red Bank Borough Council meeting is a valuable opportunity for residents to engage with local governance. To ensure a respectful and productive environment, please observe the following protocols:
Meeting Conduct:
- Meetings are generally conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order, supplemented by specific protocols.
Public Comment Periods:
- Two public comment periods are allocated during each meeting:
- First Period: For comments on agenda items.
- Second Period: For comments on any topic.
- To ensure everyone has the opportunity to speak, individual comments may be limited to three (3) or five (5) minutes, depending on the number of participants.
Speaking Protocol:
- When addressing the Council, please:
- Come forward to the designated speaking area.
- State your name and address clearly.
- Direct all questions to the Mayor, who may respond or delegate to the appropriate official.
Requesting Appearances or Presentations:
- Submit requests to the Borough Manager or Borough Clerk.
- Approval is at the discretion of the Borough Council and is typically granted for matters of significant public importance related to municipal operations.
Meeting Agenda Structure:
- The typical order of agenda items includes:
- Call to Order
- Sunshine Statement
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Roll Call
- Proclamations, Announcements & Appointments
- Presentations
- Public Questions & Comments on Agenda Items Only
- Approval of Minutes & Reports
- Ordinances (Public Hearing/Adoption and First Reading)
- Resolutions
- Discussions & Action
- Public Questions & Comments on Any Items
- Mayor & Council Comments
- Executive Session (if necessary)
- Adjournment
Adhering to these guidelines ensures that Borough Council meetings are conducted in an orderly and respectful manner, allowing all voices to be heard effectively.
