The Live Oak City Council announced Tuesday night it would be making minor changes to their public speaking format in accordance with the law recently passed in the Florida Legislature and which took effect Oct. 1. The board voted unanimously to pass Ordinance 1313 which addresses public comments.

The new law states each governing board must allow the public a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the council takes action on a specific item.

“The new law makes it where any official action taken by the council, or by governing bodies in general, the public can have access to comment,” President Adam Prins said. “We pretty much do that here, anyways. If the public wants to be heard, we let you be heard.”

Prins explained there would be a few changes to the format moving forward.

Those wishing to address the board on a particular matter will now be asked to fill out a participation card prior to the meeting.

“They’re doing this to make sure the public’s being heard,” Prins said.

“It also requires the person at the podium can only speak about the item that’s on the table at that time. So we can’t be on Ordinance 1300 and have you talking about getting your street paved,” Prins said. “It’s to keep the meetings on track and keep an orderly flow. If you want to talk about getting your street paved, you can do it. You just need to do it in the public comment section.”

Before the vote, Councilor Keith Mixon asked City Attorney Erny Sellers for his thoughts.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Sellers said. “You need something that is in writing that specifies who can do what.”

Sellers continued, “When the statute was passed, I suggested to the clerk that he contact the city of Tallahassee and Gainesville and get a copy of theirs and we would use those to pattern ours.”

Sellers told the board City Clerk John Gill had sent him an email with the League of Cities’ recommendation for public speaking, which had previously been adopted by about 30-40 cities.

“One of the things I like about it, someone who addresses the group, addresses the council. They don’t address an individual. They can only discuss the matter pending, that is the only matter they can come up and address,” Sellers said.

The Ordinance stated individuals addressing the board would be allowed three minutes to speak on the topic. However, Prins said it also allows the board to be flexible with time.

“Also there is language in there that allows for, if we have a hot topic issue, for us to make a motion to extend the three minute time limit, so it’s not set in stone. If we need to do that we can,” Prins said.

Prins also said if someone did not have a chance to fill out a card, the individual would still be allowed to speak during the meeting.

“As long as I’m president, I’ll let the public be heard,” Prins said.

A motion was made by Mixon to accept Ordinance 1313, seconded by Councilor John Yulee. The motion carried unanimously.