Addresses to the council by others than members.

Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 151-47

in effect

Sec. 151-47. - Addresses to the council by others than members. (a) No person other than a member or officer of a council shall be permitted to address a council during its meeting except as provided in this rule as follows: (1) The president may recognize any distinguished guest under "introduction and recognition of guests and visitors" and permit a two-minute response to the introduction; (2) The president may permit any city or county officer or employee to address the council in response to a question or request for information by a member of the council; such person's response shall be limited to two (2) minutes; (3) Any member of a council desiring that someone be heard that is denied the floor by these rules or the president, may move to allow such person to address the council. The motion shall state the person to be heard, the subject to which the discussion will be limited and the time to be granted the speaker. The motion shall require a second; it shall be privileged and immediately put to vote without debate. The motion shall be carried only if receiving a vote of a majority of the members of the council. If the motion is carried, the person shall be permitted to address the council in accordance with the motion; (4) If an item of business before a council is one for which a notice of public hearing has been given, the president shall inquire before stating the question whether members of the public desire to be heard on that item. If any person indicates a desire to be heard, the president shall recognize such person. The committee of the whole council may, by majority vote, impose reasonable limits upon the time and number of persons to be allowed to speak. (b) Any member of the public having been properly granted the privilege of the council floor for purposes of offering comment or testimony on a particular proposal or issue before the council must speak to that issue. Any member of the council, having been recognized by the president, may question the relevancy of comment or testimony being given by members of the public by asking the president to rule on the germaneness of such comment or testimony. The president may also rule on germaneness without request. All such decisions of the president may be challenged and sustained or overruled by a simple majority vote. (G.O. 68, 1988, § 6; G.O. 144, 1993, § 1)

Source: Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County, Revised Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIORAD_CH151CIUNCO_ARTIVPRDE_S151-47ADCOOTMEFetched: 10/27/2026