Delray Beach clarifies quasi‑judicial cross‑examination rules and sets April meeting dates

The Delray Beach City Commission voted to amend its local rules of procedure to clarify limits on cross‑examination during quasi‑judicial hearings. Commissioners debated timing caps and agreed the rule should limit cross‑examination of public speakers to two minutes per person, with a practical total cap discussed (the transcript records a proposal to limit total cross‑examination to 10 minutes in typical hearings). The amendment was adopted by motion.

Separately, commissioners reviewed and adopted initial commission meeting dates for April 2026 (April 7 and April 21) and directed staff to circulate the remainder of the calendar for adjustments to accommodate members’ schedules. The meeting also postponed formal adoption of a revised proclamation policy to April 21 to allow further review.

The procedural changes aim to clarify expectations for applicants, members of the public and staff during quasi‑judicial proceedings; commissioners emphasized that the city and applicants remain able to cross‑examine each other under the new wording, while cross‑examination of members of the public who speak during hearings remains time‑limited.