The Common Council met on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 7:01 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. The meeting included public participation, approval of a consent agenda, an executive session to discuss a settlement, and unanimous approval of 13 resolutions covering capital purchases, a policy amendment referral, and a recognition.
All right. Well. Welcome to the regular meeting of the common council for Wednesday, June twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-five. It is now seven oh one. And seeing sufficient members present, uh, we'll start with public participation. Um state your name and address for the record. You have three minutes. And we will begin tonight with Mr. John Board. Uh good evening, members of the council. Uh once again, uh I rise in strong support of adoption of Rule 14, a proposal uh to establish clear standards for public participation in decorum during council meetings. This rule is simple, fair, and modeled on the long-standing practices of the General Assembly. It protects the right of the public to be heard and ensures that business can be conducted without disruption, intimidation, or theatrics. But tonight I'm not also defending this rule. Uh, since this proposal was submitted to council, there's been zero outreach, zero discussion, and zero engagement from members of the uh council on the language intent or even possible revisions, and quite frankly, that silences a hell of a lot more. Uh says a hell of a lot more than just a vote. Uh I would like to also expressly address the President Pro Tem since we had an understanding. He told me that once we s that once I submitted a proposal in writing, there'd be an opportunity to review and revise the language collaboratively. But after following up multiple times, they've I received no conversation, no edits, and no engagement. That's not how good governance works. As you have all heard me say multiple times, if you're opposed to something, you have an obligation to put an alternative on the table and not just say no. Say what you would support instead. Otherwise, you're not just debating, you're quite frankly obstructing. Let's be honest. Recent breakdowns in decorum joined this council and meetings have uh speech for themselves. Uh what I don't what the intent here is to protect everyone's rights to be heard without fear or disruption and not silencing individuals. Once again, rule fourteen's not about censorship, it's about accountability. So you know what? The proposal is just a start. It's n nothing final. If you don't like the current language, then you know, offer edits, but just don't say no. Uh the public deserves a chamber where policies can be debated with passion and disagreement, but always with respect. Once again, I urge this council do the work, review the rule, provide and propose improvements if needed, but don't simply ignore a proposal. Uh, the people of New Britain want a council that still works together, believes and respects the democratic processes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Board. Um, he needs to state his name and address. I don't think it was data. Is there a problem? His name and his address. Oh, Joseph. Okay. Step forward now. Anyone else? Anybody else has three times. Hearing none. Is anybody calling in remotely? Nobody, okay. Uh, wish to briefly comment on what they've heard.