(KLZA)--During the Mayor's Report at Monday nights meeting of the City Council in Falls City, Mayor Mark Harkendorff read a statement concerning meeting procedures.

Over the past several months, meetings have at times become undisciplined with audience members speaking without being recognized as well as Council members interrupting fellow council members and going off topic at times.

Mayor Harkendorff issued his statement in the Council packet prior to the meeting.

In the report, the Mayor seeks to keep all discussions relevant to the agenda item currently being considered.

Council members are to be recognized by the Mayor before speaking and are urged to let others finish speaking, avoiding interrupting or speaking out of turn.

Members of the public are allowed to speak during designated comment periods or as permitted by the agenda by approaching the public comment podium. Public speakers must be recognized before speaking and must state their name for the record. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes with a requirement that comments be relevant to the topic being discussed.

Members of the public as well as Council members who interrupt may be ruled out of order.

The Falls City Council meetings are to follow the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.

Much of the disruption recently followed the resignation of all six members of the Falls City Line crew. During that time, members of the public and now former employees have been critical of city leadership including Public Works Director Trevor Campbell.

On Monday evening, Board of Public Works member Ray Joy said the Board members felt it was important to affirm their full support of Campbell as Public Works Director / Utility Superintendent of Falls City.

In response to recent questions and concerns raised by some members of the City Council regarding utility operations, the Board of Public Works said in a letter to the Council they felt it important to clarify Campbell's role and the governance structure under which he operates.

The letter stated that if any Council member has questions or concerns regarding the operation of the utilities or the performance of the Public Works Director, the BPW respectfully requests that such matters be directed to the Board through the appropriate administrative channels.