Guidelines for Public Participation during Public Meetings

Brownsville Public Utilities Board > About > Meetings > Guidelines for Public Participation during Public Meetings

General Speaking Guidelines

It is expected that speakers will observe the commonly accepted rules of courtesy, decorum, dignity, and good taste. The use of intemperate, abusive, defamatory, and other inappropriate language, or actions will be ruled out of order.

Each speaker will register for Public Comment and wait for his/her name to be called before addressing the Board of Directors (Board) of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB), PUBCAP, SRWA, or BPUB Committee.

Prior to addressing the Board or Committee, all speakers should state their:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Organizational Affiliation, if any

Questions and comments should be addressed to the Chairperson, not to individual Board Members, Committee Members, CEO, or members of the audience.

Questions and comments should be limited to the matter listed in the Public Comment Registration Form.

A limit of three (3) minutes shall be allotted to each speaker.

Board Members or Committee Members may interrupt a speaker for the purpose of clarification and information.

Speakers are requested not to repeat points already made by previous speakers.

Written statements may be received by the Board or Committee in addition to, or in lieu of, oral presentations.

Public Conduct during the Public Comment Period

(a) Any person who wishes to address the Board, PUBCAP, SRWA, or any BPUB Committee must register one hour prior to the start of any regularly scheduled meeting by submitting a completed “Public Comment” form online. To access the form, visit the specific meeting  https://www.brownsville-pub.com/about/meetings/ on the BPUB website and click the “Submit Public Comments” link. This form must be used by citizens and filled out completely in order to address the Board or Committee.

(b) In accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, BPUB, PUBCAP, SRWA, or BPUB Committees cannot take action on or discuss any subject brought up during “Public Comment,” that was not posted for action. However, BPUB, any Board Member, or Committee Member may add the issue to a future agenda or refer it to the proper department for action. Staff will prepare a follow up letter to the citizen for any action so referred with a copy to each Board Member or Committee Member. Board Members and Committee Members shall be allowed to respond to comments when they feel necessary.

(c) The total “Public Comment” portion of the agenda shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes. Groups coming to address the Board or Committee must select a representative in order to conserve speaking time and reduce repetitive or redundant comments. The Chairperson may extend the time allotted, based on their discretion. In the event that several speakers have registered to speak at the meeting, the speakers will be selected based on their order of registration.

(d) If a speaker’s comments will be longer than three (3) minutes, the Board or Committee encourages written remarks be prepared and provided to each member through the Recording Secretary.

(e) Board Members or Committee Members have the responsibility and duty to rule a speaker out of order if the comments made are of a personal nature, or in any other manner that disrupts the orderly conduct of business by the Board or Committee. If the Board or Committee does not act promptly, any Board Member or Committee Member may require the Board or Committee to immediately rule the speaker out of order.

(f) If a handout needs to be presented to the Board or Committee, it must be given to the Recording Secretary who will distribute the material.

(g) All remarks and questions shall be made to the Chairperson and BPUB, PUBCAP, SRWA, or Committee as a whole, and not to individual members.

Public Conduct during Board Meetings

(h) Conversations between or among audience members should be conducted outside the meeting room. Attendees will refrain from conversations/outbursts while the meeting is in session, this includes the operations and use of cellular telephones, pagers, etc., or any mechanical devices that may disrupt meeting proceedings.

(i) In order to maintain proper order and decorum during the meeting, placards, banners, or signs will not be permitted in the meeting room or any other room in which BPUB, PUBCAP, SRWA, or BPUB Committees conduct meetings. Included in this prohibition are wearing various hats, caps, visors, and t-shirts, which may represent sentiments as alluded to regarding placards, banners, and/or signs, or that may otherwise be offensive, vulgar, or provocative, and intended to distract or disrupt. Exhibits, displays, and visual aids used in connection with presentations to BPUB, PUBCAP, SRWA, or BPUB Committees, however, are permitted.

(j) Only Board Members, Committee Members, and BPUB staff may approach the Board. Handouts to be presented to the Board or Committee must be given to the Sr. Executive Assistant when registering to speak during the public comment period. The Sr. Executive Assistant will distribute the handouts to the Board or Committee.