Rules of Participation at Council Meetings

Guidelines for Participating at a City Meeting

 

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Molalla City Council meetings are held for City Elected Officials to deliberate and make decisions on policy matters related to City business. The City Council welcomes the exchange of ideas with the public. Council meetings provide an opportunity to obtain a better understanding of both City government and the Council’s work.

Those wishing to address the City Council during Public Comment must first complete and submit a Comment Card. This ensures an orderly process and allows Council to hear from all interested speakers. Once submitted, participants will be called during the designated Public Comment portion of the agenda.

How to Participate in a City meeting:

  • Complete a Comment Card – These are available at the entrance to the meeting room. A speaker must submit one Comment Card for each topic one wishes to address. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item on which to speak on. Make sure to print your information clearly.
  • Submit - Public Comment Card/ Public Comment to City Recorder prior to a meeting. Public Comments may be submitted in-person at Molalla City Hall | via email to the City Recorder at recorder@cityofmolalla.com | and/or prior to the start of a public meeting. For more details visit: How to Submit Public Comment
  • When Called to Speak – Once the Mayor calls your name, proceed to the podium and speak into the microphone. Begin by stating your name and the City where you reside, for the record.
  • Time Limit – Each speaker is given 3 minutes to speak. The Mayor may extend this time by 2 additional minutes, but only if the City Council votes to approve the extended time.
  • Speaking Order – Speakers will be called to speak in the order in which their Comment Cards were received.
  • Time Limit for Public Comment – The Public Comment period will not exceed 30 minutes, unless a majority of the Council votes to extend the time.

Additional Information 

Items on an Agenda

Citizens may speak on specific issues being heard by City Council. When the Mayor addresses an agenda item and asks if anyone wishes to be heard, you may speak either in favor, in opposition, or provide neutral comments. Remember to speak only on the subject being discussed.

 

Speaking at a Council Meeting: What to Say

  • Speaker will begin by stating name and the City where where speaker resides.

  • Share your views or suggestions in a courteous and respectful manner.

  • As a general rule, the Council does not typically engage in direct dialogue with speakers. However, the Mayor and Councilors may ask the City Manager to review and respond to comments.

  • If necessary, the Mayor may ask the appropriate staff person to respond at the meeting

  • Please note: This is not a forum for public debate.

Group Comments

A group with a shared purpose, such as a neighborhood association, must designate one spokesperson and will be allotted 5 minutes to speak.

 

Addressing the Council

When speaking to the City Council, address them by their title, such as Mayor or Councilor. Please direct all remarks and questions to the Council through the Mayor, and avoid addressing the audience or staff directly.

 

Have a Concern or Comment?

It is recommended that resolution of complaints be addressed first through the appropriate City department before the matter is brought to the City Council.

 

Special Note

The Mayor presides over meetings according to standard parliamentary procedures and enforces the Rules of Conduct pursuant to the Molalla City Charter.

 

Supporting Documents

Public Comment Form(PDF, 81KB)

Molalla Municipal Code, Chapter 1.02: (1.02.090 Public Comment): Citizen and community group sign-up forms will be available at each regular business meeting. At the time on the agenda designated for public comment and during any public hearing, any member of the public desiring to address the Council must first request to be recognized by the Mayor and then state their name and address for the record. The Council may set time limits for comments. The Council may request that groups with like comments choose a spokesperson to present joint remarks. During public meetings, all public comments should be directed to the question under discussion and addressed to the Mayor representing the Council as a whole. In general, Councilors will not respond to comments made during the public comment agenda time, except to ask clarifying questions. Any public requests for Council action will be referred to staff and reviewed before placing on a future agenda.

 

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