Verbal Comments at Meetings
All meetings of the MLPA Initiative process will offer a minimum of one opportunity for public comment. Guidelines for general public comment at meetings include:
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Comment cards will be available approximately 1.5 hours before the start of each public comment period. Speakers are requested to choose one comment period in which to speak.
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Comment cards are requested to be submitted 15 minutes before the start of a public comment period. No new comment cards will be accepted once the comment period has begun. Speakers must be present and turn in their own cards (this also applies to all individual speakers who wish to cede their time to other speakers).
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Comment cards will be counted and, at the discretion of staff or the chair, the time allocated to each speaker will be based on the total available time and number of individuals wishing to speak. Time allotments will be enforced.
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Speakers with a shared message or from the same organization are encouraged to combine speaking points. Additional time for comment will be given to these ‘spokespeople’ and those who have ceded their time can stand to show support.
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Speakers with ceded time will be placed at the front of the queue. All other members of the public will be invited to speak in the order the speaker cards are received.
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Speakers are welcome to distribute written material to the audience. Other media presentations, such as slides and videos, are only permitted by prior arrangement (contact Kelly Sayce at 310-738-2665 or
kelly@strategicoceansolutions.com) and may be limited depending on time availability. Please arrive early and let staff know if you have a media presentation. An alternate space in the venue will be provided for displaying any additional media information, as needed and as space is available.
Revised October 2, 2009
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The time for public comment will be noticed in the agenda for each meeting.
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For the upcoming MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force meeting:
On October 21, 2009 specific public comment will be taken at approximately 1:30 p.m. for approximately three hours. All comments provided at this time should be directly related to developing a final recommended MPA proposal for the south coast.
On October 21, 2009 general public comment will be taken at approximately 7:00-10:00 p.m.
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We request that you choose one comment period in which to speak at the upcoming BRTF meeting. If you request to speak during both comment periods, your comments during the evening session must be related to something other than developing the preferred MPA proposal to recommend for the south coast.