Big Bear Lake council removes time limits and other restrictions from Rules of Order

The Big Bear Lake City Council voted on Feb. 11 to remove time limits and other restrictions from its Rules of Order manual, giving council members broader latitude to speak during council comments and questioning.

Council members debated whether the manual’s guardrails — including a two‑minute question period and a five‑minute comment period in some cases — had become excessive. "To limit speech is wrong. It's illegal," Council member Chuck Orr said during the discussion, arguing that the rules could improperly curb elected officials’ ability to speak. Mayor Randy Putz said he was "embracing free speech" and indicated he would exercise discretion as presiding officer rather than strictly enforcing the previous limits.

After discussion, the council voted to remove a specific time-restriction provision (subpart 2.d on page 23) and later approved removing the board/committee reports and comments subsection (item g on page 18). Both motions passed by roll call vote, recorded as four ayes and one no on each measure. The council asked staff to prepare the formal amendments and return them as a resolution at a future meeting for official adoption.

Supporters said the changes will allow more flexible, substantive discussion and place trust in members and the presiding officer to keep meetings orderly. Opponents cautioned that removing structured limits could lengthen meetings and complicate efforts to conclude business efficiently.

The city attorney advised the council that the practical amendments should be prepared and adopted by resolution at a subsequent meeting; until then the council indicated it would not strictly enforce the previously written limits. The council then moved on to other agenda items.