China Grove, North Carolina

Agenda packets are posted five to seven days prior to the scheduled meeting date.  If you would like a copy of the agenda e-mailed to you, please contact Town Clerk Pamela Mills.  Minutes are posted after the meeting has been held and Town Council has approved the minutes, usually after the next regularly scheduled meeting.

A public comment period shall be included as an item of business on the agenda at each of the regular monthly meetings of the Town Council.   Any person desiring to speak during the public comment period may sign up to speak prior to the start of the meeting on the form provided at the door.  The following Rules of Decorum shall be followed throughout all public comment periods and administered in a manner to ensure that meetings are conducted in a civil and orderly manner:

1. Public Comment (Citizen Recognition) Period: Each speaker is allocated up to three (3) minutes to speak. No public comment period shall extend beyond fifteen (15) minutes. However, the Mayor reserves the right to adjust the time limitation for individual speakers or the overall time period as necessary for the efficient and effective conduct of business.
2. Public Hearings: Citizens may address the Board members in public hearings provided the comments are directly related to the subject matter of the public hearing. Each speaker is allocated up to three (3) minutes to speak. However, the Mayor reserves the right to adjust the time limitation for individual speakers.
3. A speaker may not share or relinquish any remaining time they have not used to another speaker.
4. Speakers are only allowed to speak one (1) time during the public comment period.
5. Persons who wish to speak must register on the sign-up sheet located on the information desk inside the meeting room. Sign-up sheets will be available 30 minutes prior to the start of each meeting.
6. Speakers who have prepared written remarks or supporting documents are encouraged to leave a copy of such remarks and documents with the Town Clerk.
7. It is recommended that groups or delegations select their spokespersons in advance of the meeting.
8. Speaker substitutions at the meeting are not allowed.
9. Speakers shall provide their name and address at the start of their comments.
10. Speakers shall refrain from personal attacks and/or threats directed towards Town staff, elected Board members, or members of the public.
11. Speakers shall be civil and courteous in their language and presentation. Insults, profanity, use of vulgar language or gestures, or other inappropriate behavior are not allowed.
12. Speakers shall limit their comments to matters that are germane to, or within the jurisdiction of the Town of China Grove Town Council.
13. Speakers shall address the Board with any and all public comments. Comments, questions, jeering, or other interruptions from the audience are not allowed. Speakers shall likewise not address or respond to members of the audience.
14. During Public Comment (Citizen Recognition) periods, speakers should not expect Board members to comment on or respond to their comments directly during the meeting. The Mayor, or presiding officer may, however, request the Town Manager’s office to follow up with a speaker after the meeting or provide additional information to the Board at a later date.
15. The Mayor, or presiding officer, has the authority to enforce the Rules of Decorum. Failure to obey these Rules may result in the forfeiture of the remaining speaking time and possible criminal charges. Individuals who engage in egregious or repeated violations may be asked to leave the meeting. Speakers and members of the audience should note the following legal provision from North Carolina General Statute § 143-318.17:

“A person who willfully interrupts, disturbs, or disrupts an official meeting and who, upon being directed to leave the meeting by the presiding officer, willfully refuses to leave the meeting is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.”