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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Erin:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have found a couple of websites with useful information n managing disruptive or contentious public comments:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/practical-measures-to-de-stress-a-contentious-public-hearing">https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/practical-measures-to-de-stress-a-contentious-public-hearing</a> (this is an MSU Extension article)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://jurassicparliament.com/guidelines-public-comment/">https://jurassicparliament.com/guidelines-public-comment/</a> (Jurassic parliament is a company that works with boards and municipalities)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://jurassicparliament.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Guidelines-for-Public-Comment.pdf">https://jurassicparliament.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Guidelines-for-Public-Comment.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(This is a good overall guide for public comment – but you will need to factor in Michigan’s Open Meetings Act where relevant (such as you can’t limit overall time for public comment))<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.mml.org/resources/publications/one_pagers/x%20FS%20OMA%20-%20Def%20and%20Requirements%20%20Plus.pdf">http://www.mml.org/resources/publications/one_pagers/x%20FS%20OMA%20-%20Def%20and%20Requirements%20%20Plus.pdf</a>
(This is a guide to the OMA from the Michigan Municipal League It has an interesting section on public comment).<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/OMA_handbook_287134_7.pdf">https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/OMA_handbook_287134_7.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(This is the OMA Handbook by the Michigan Attorney General’s office – see page 13-14 for public comment information)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope this is helpful!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clare<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Library Law Consultant<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Library of Michigan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:MembielaC@michigan.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">MembielaC@michigan.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">517-335-8132<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your
attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:#1F5192">You have the power to shape your future, and the future of all children, by counting everyone in your home in the
<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmy2020census.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7CMembielaC%40michigan.gov%7C228de169937142b1174208d80ca949e7%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637273268619909706&sdata=My24jpXjxu%2BI4cMZT%2BjJO5CH31Elu6Ut8wT5rcfrSaQ%3D&reserved=0">
<span style="color:#0563C1">2020 Census</span></a>.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="286" height="92" style="width:2.9791in;height:.9583in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D67FC3.54B47070" alt="A close up of a sign
Description automatically generated"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> <b>On Behalf Of
</b>Erin Schmandt via Michlib-l<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, August 31, 2020 11:08 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> michlib-l@mcls.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Michlib-l] Best Practices for Responding to Public Comments<o:p></o:p></p>
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<strong><span style="font-family:"sans-serif 10pt",serif;color:black">CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to
<a href="mailto:abuse@michigan.gov"><span style="font-weight:normal">abuse@michigan.gov</span></a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Does anyone have a resource that I can provide to my library board on the best way to handle public comments at a board meeting? We are heading into some potentially contentious ones.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Erin N. Schmandt<br>
Director<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Caro Area District Library<br>
840 W. Frank Street<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Caro, MI 48723<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(989) 673-4329 x102<o:p></o:p></p>
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