Request to Appear

before the Board of Park Commissioners Policy

All regular and special meetings of the Board are open to the public, but in order for the Board to conduct business in an orderly, efficient and professional manner, any individual or organization wishing to appear before the Board may do so by written request to be placed on the agenda or by written request to appear before the Board on an item on the agenda.

The Board of Park Commissioners, effective August 1, 2006, requires that members of the public wishing to appear before the Board make arrangements in advance so that such appearances are scheduled on the agenda. If appropriate, the topic for discussion is stated and clarified, and background materials for the Board are prepared in order to be fully versed on the subject matter. This procedure is established to afford the Board the ability to respond in an appropriate manner.

Request to add an item to the agenda and appear before the Board:

Individuals or organizations will make their request to add an item to the agenda and appear before the Board on the added agenda item in writing or emailed, delivered to the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District office by 12:00 noon, one week prior to the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners (meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, 5:15 p.m. or as published). The requesting party will detail their subject matter and provide background material.

The President, in consultation with the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation, will determine if the request to add an item to the agenda and appear will be placed on the agenda. Questions and concerns regarding programs and facilities, operating procedures or policies, capital projects and planning will be referred to proper administrative staff for review before it is considered for placement on the Board agenda. The Board will not hear personal complaints against any employee connected with the District. The individual or organization will be notified if they will be placed on the agenda or what action has been taken on the request.

If the request to appear is placed on the agenda, documents and/or background information provided by the requestor, along with staff background materials, will be provided to the Board of Park Commissioners in advance. The Board follows a written agenda, a copy of which is available to assist the individual or group in participating with time and location of the meeting and placement on the agenda.

Request to appear to comment on item on the agenda:

Individuals or organizations who wish to appear before the Board on an existing agenda item will also make the request in writing or emailed, delivered to the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District office by 12:00 noon, 2 days prior to the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners.

Those who speak are urged to limit their remarks to a maximum of five minutes. Any group addressing a common concern should designate a spokesperson. If a citizen or group wishes to share more information than time allows, please place the concerns in a written form and provide them to the District office for distribution to the Board as background material. Written comments must include name, address and phone number.

During the presentation, the Board is privileged to question speakers to clarify concerns, but, as a general rule, will not debate such concerns or take any formal action, if required, until the Executive Director has presented a position statement, if requested, by the Board at a subsequent Board meeting.

This policy meets the requirements of open meeting laws. The open meetings law gives members of the public access to the meetings of a governing board of a public entity but that access does not give members of the public the right to participate or speak at the public meeting. N.D.A.G. 2003-O-07.

Approved by the Board of Park Commissioners July 27, 2006. Amended and approved April 17, 2008. Amended and approved June 21, 2012.