Officials voted to have speakers take an oath in "quasi-judicial hearings" such as zoning and variance petitions.
By Times Staff Writer
Published May 28, 2004
TAMPA - Want to speak in front of the Tampa City Council? Get ready to raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth.
Council members voted Thursday to begin immediately swearing in anyone speaking at "quasi-judicial hearings" - those that include issues such as zoning petitions, variance petitions, closure petitions and plan amendments.
The council first raised the issue of swearing in speakers two weeks ago. In Jacksonville, sworn testimony is given only if the council or the applicant requests it, said Kelli Haas, a Tampa assistant city attorney.
Haas said some of Tampa's governing boards, including the Barrio Latino Commission and the Variance Review Board, already swear in speakers.
Now, at the beginning of council meetings that include quasi-judicial hearings, the chairwoman will ask anyone who plans to testify to stand and be sworn in by the city clerk. Those to be sworn in include city staff members, the petitioner and the petitioner's representative. The clerk will do a mass swear-in at the beginning of the meeting. Anyone who comes in late will be sworn in separately.
If someone refuses to be sworn in before testifying, he would still be allowed to speak. However, council members could use that refusal to be sworn in when considering the speaker's credibility.
