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A Quincy man is asking the city council to give citizens a chance to speak at every council meeting.

Michael Black, who lives in Quincy's 5th ward, e-mailed KHQA-TV on Thursday, May 7 that he has submitted a petition to create what he calls a Citizen's Forum.

He wants this forum to have a permanent place on the council agenda.

It would allow interested people to speak before the council for three minutes.

And it would take a unanimous vote of the council to deny anyone's request to speak.

Below is a copy of the information Black submitted:

Subj: Petition to provide a Citizen Forum during City Council meetings

Purpose: To ensure that Quincy citizens have the right to address the city council in a completely unencumbered fashion.

Goals:

• Maximize the ability of citizen input during council meetings in an orderly manner
• Minimize the ability of the council to inhibit citizen input

Proposed wording:

Change Section 2.201 of the Municipal Code

Insert into Section 2.201

7. Citizen forum

Change item 7 and 8 to item 8 and 9 respectively.  This would allow councilmen to entertain motions inspired by citizens by moving motions until after the citizen forum.

Change Section 2.204 of the Municipal Code to read:

2.204 Addressing meetings – A citizen forum will be conducted at each meeting.  Any citizen may sign up for one three-minute time period up to the conclusion of the forum.  A unanimous vote of those present shall be required to terminate the citizen forum before all speakers have had their turn.