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Joplin City Council amends public discussion rules at council meetings

The city of Joplin is moving ahead with new amendments to its rules surrounding public discussions at council meetings.

The council voted 5-3 in favor of changes to “Rules and Regulations to Govern the Transactions of Business by the Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri”.

A few council members cited the need for more respect of city employees, but also noted they did not want to trample on the freedom of speech.

Other members said these rules would not step on the right to speak your mind, while calling for decorum during meetings and other city events.

Listen to what Mayor Doug Lawson had to say about it:

 

Brian Evans, who fell 13 votes short of having a seat on the city council last year, claims the city of Joplin is violating its citizens first amendment rights by adding more restrictions to public discussion.

Evans claims that “our elected leadership will be voting on whether or not to give our government the power to silence Joplin citizens and businesses at Council.”

This resolution deletes Sections 2.39, 2.40, and 2.41 in their entirety and adopting new Sections 2.39, 2.40, and 2.41 in lieu thereof.

City Attorney Peter Edwards the major changes are the rules of decorum and the security procedures regarding bags or backpacks brought into council chambers.

Click here to see the original rules

Old city code rules

Click here to see the newly-adopted amended rules

New city code rules

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