Whittier : Speakers’ Time Limit Imposed

The Whittier City Council has imposed a six-minute limit on residents who speak during the oral communications period of council meetings.

Mayor Gene Chandler said he favored a timing device in which a warning would be given after five minutes and the speaker would then have one minute to summarize. The chairman will have discretion to extend the time limit. No time limits were imposed on speaking during public hearings.

The council agreed on the limit after analyzing the policies of neighboring cities. Previously, residents could speak for an unlimited time at any public meeting.