MEETING TIMES
Regular public meetings of the city council are held on
the second and fourth Mondays of each month beginning at
6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Audience participation is encouraged. Please complete a
sign-up sheet in the back of the council chambers. This
information is needed for the public record and to assist
the city in future notification of communications with you
if necessary. Please specify which "Agenda Item"
or "Non-agenda Item" you wish to address.
First and second readings (or any other readings after the
first reading) of an ordinance are open to public comment
unless it is identified on the agenda as "Not a Public
Hearing." The Mayor will determine a uniform duration for
individual comment on a specific item.
The "Public Comment" provides an opportunity for
citizens to address the City Council and city administration
on unscheduled items. These items are addressed after the
"New Business" section of the council meeting. Items brought
up during this portion of the meeting may be forwarded to
staff for follow-up or scheduled on a future agenda. Please limit participation to
three minutes.
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
When applicable, the public hearing format is explicitly
set forth on the agenda. All comments must be made at the
podium after the speaker first gives his or her name and
address so that comments and speaker identification become
part of the record. The Mayor may indicate the amount of
time available for each hearing. So that persons shall have
an opportunity to speak, the mayor may limit the amount
of time permitted to each speaker until all persons have had
an opportunity to speak. Further testimony from those who
have spoken will be taken in the remaining time. The public
hearing may be continued to another date to take additional
testimony when the existing testimony when the existing
available time is not sufficient.
PUBLIC HEARING PRESENTATION
Suggested presentation model for precise, well organized
proposals: PURPOSE: What is the idea you wish to
present? Begin with an "I statement" outlining
your idea, such as, "I am here to (support/oppose)..."
REASON: Why are you making this point? This is
an important step so the listener does not make assumptions
about your motives. EXAMPLE: Use a brief and relevant
example to clarify and make your point concrete. SUMMARY:
What condition will be changed or improved if your point
is adopted? ACTION: (If appropriate, depending
on the situation) What needs to be done and who will do
it?
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Closed portion of meeting for discussion of confidential
legal matters, personnel matters, labor negotiations, and/or
property transactions. These are the only issued which may
be discussed in closed sessions.
