It’ll take a little more time and effort to address the Waycross City Commission going forward.
The city has initiated a process involving advance notice by anyone who wants to speak at a planning and information session.
City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford detailed the change during the commission’s work session last week in City Hall.
Previously, any person could sign in with City Clerk Jackie Powell as late as just minutes before the start of the meeting, inform her of the topic, and talk three minutes on any subject related to the city. People could also do the same for one of the commission’s two monthly business meetings, but only if they were addressing an item on that night’s agenda.
The new process requires a form to be filled out and submitted to Powell no later than the Monday prior to the work session at which the person wants to speak.
Rayford said the change came in part to ensure speakers follow the city’s rules of decorum for meetings while also allowing city officials time to research information needed to answer any questions posed to the commission on the topic.
In announcing the new process, Rayford reinforced the city’s view that citizen input is encouraged and valued.
He said not all cities offer a chance for citizens to speak during meetings, whether related to agenda topics or not.
The rules of decorum and public comment procedures read by the clerk before each meeting are part of the form.
They are outlined in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Waycross, specifically Sections 2-66 and 267 The speaker’s signature on the form serves as acknowledgment to follow these rules, which include in part:
• be respectful, orderly and direct all comments to the Mayor or commissioners;
• follow all instructions given by the Mayor or the presiding officer of the meeting;
• speak only on the topic on the form while pivoting to another that violates the decorum could bring an immediate end to the opportunity by the Mayor or presiding officer;
• adhere to the time limit;
• personal attacks, offensive language, or disruptive behavior are strictly prohibited.
Forms may be obtained at City Hall or by downloading a copy at https://na2.hubs.ly/H01_ 9L40.
Once completed they may be returned to Powell’s office in person or by email to jpowell@waycrossga. gov.
A speaker’s move from his stated topic during a work session last month led to the Mayor ending the person’s address and requesting his removal from chambers when he questioned the Mayor’s action.
The stated topic of the person’s address was city ethics, but the speaker quickly questioned the presence of Huey Spearman in the City Attorney’s chair in chambers when the city had hired Cheslyn Green this summer as successor to Rick Currie. who retired in April, 2024 after a decade in the position.
