Activist scolds City Council for implementing 3-minute rule
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Friday, June 1, 2007  |
PINELLAS PARK – A community activist took the City Council to task May 24 for implementing an old regulation that restricts people from transferring their time at public hearings to others.
Randy Heine, owner of a local Park Boulevard adult store who has run unsuccessfully for various public offices over the years, said the so-called “three-minute rule” is both unfair and unconstitutional.
Virtually all municipal governments give citizens three minutes to comment on issues at public hearings, but in recent months some of Pinellas Park’s residents have taken to “borrowing” other people’s time. City officials have allowed that to happen, but the new tradition has gotten out of hand.
At a recent meeting one citizen who has been complaining about animal issues for months was allowed to ramble on past the three-minute time limit when several people donated their time to him.
The three-minute rule was implemented some years ago during the administration of former Mayor Cecil Bradbury. Heine, meanwhile, said people should have a right to “talk all they want until they are finished with what they have to say.”
Heine, who generally comments on numerous issues during the course of a council meeting, questioned the legality of the rule. Jim Denhardt, city attorney, said the city’s regulation is legal under the law.
Another resident, Robin Schwato, asked that the city intervene with a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority plan to eliminate part of a bus route known locally as the “Pinellas Park shuttle.” Officially known as Route No. 444, the route snakes its way through the city and is popular with a number of residents who use it to get around town.
Councilman Rick Butler, a PSTA director, said he will do everything possible to see that the route is not changed. He cautioned, however, that like many other government agencies, the PSTA is looking for ways to cut costs in light of expected revenue reductions as part of the state legislature’s tax reform measure.
“Keep in mind that I’m only one of 15 directors on the PSTA board,” Butler cautioned, “but I will do what I can to keep that route as is.”
In other matters, the council approved a plan for the opening of an office in a duplex residential district.
Jerry and Michael Bednarski want to open an office on a 0.286-acre plot at 6645 68th Ave.
The project was previously approved by the planning and zoning commission whose members said the plan would not adversely affect the neighborhood.
In other matters, annexations were approved for property at 7737 72nd Ave., 11590 U.S. 19 and for land at 60th Street and 114th Avenue.
The council also approved a $275,610 bid by Overstreet Paving, Inc. of Spring Hill to pave various roads within the city as part of the annul paving and resurfacing project.
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Article published on Friday, June 1, 2007
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