Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I speak to the Council at a City Council Meeting?
If you would like to address the Council on any subject, you may do so during the regular City Council meeting at the time of the Council agenda item entitled, “Items From the Audience.” Comments may be made at this time on any subject which is not quasijudicial in nature or scheduled for a public hearing. Quasijudicial subjects are specifically noted with an asterisk (*) on Council agendas.
Public comment is also encouraged during Public Hearings, which are separate agenda items regarding a specific issue, and are not subject to the same time and speaker limits.
Q. What do I do when I get to the meeting?
Before the meeting starts, write your name and address on the sign-up sheet located to the right of the podium, and have a seat. There are separate sign-up sheets for Items From the Audience and for each Public Hearing.
When you are recognized by the Mayor, walk to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Please address your remarks to the Council as a group, rather than to an individual member of the Council or City staff or audience.
Q. How long can my comments be?
Please limit your comments to three minutes, except at a Public Hearing.
Q. Can a group of us speak at the meeting?
Comments are limited to three speakers on each side of an issue, except at a Public Hearing.
Whenever a group wishes to address the Council on a subject, the mayor will normally request that a spokesperson be chosen to speak for the group. Applause or other displays of approval or disapproval are inappropriate and are not permitted during Council meetings.
Q. Is there a limit to how many people can speak at a meeting?
No more than six speakers may address the Council on any one subject.
Q. How do I distribute handouts to the Council?
If you have written material related to an agenda item that you would like to distribute to the Council, please contact the City Clerk’s office at 425-487-3190 for assistance.
Q. How do I make an audio/visual presentation?
If you want to make a presentation using other media, please contact the City Clerk’s office for assistance. We can help you with sending a presentation by email, or with using a CD, DVD, or materials such as photographs or maps.
Please note that the three minute limit also applies to comments accompanied by audio/visual or printed media.