City Council Agenda and Meeting Procedures

The City Council conducts work sessions (workshops) on the first and third Monday each month, then holds regularly scheduled meetings to take action on work session items the second and fourth Monday of each month (holidays excluded). Meetings start at 7 p.m. The City Council conducts work sessions and regular business meetings upstairs in the Council Chambers in City Hall located at 1049 State Ave. For more information about City Council meetings, please call City Hall at (360) 363-8000.

City Council Meeting Procedures

To Speak Under Audience Participation

Public Hearing Procedure

Public Hearing Presentation

Executive Sessions

Meeting Times

Regular public meetings of the City Council are held the second and fourth Monday of each month beginning at 7 p.m. Work sessions are conducted the first and third Monday of each month starting at 7 p.m.

When a meeting or work session falls on a holiday, it is automatically rescheduled to the following Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

The Council does not meet in the month of August.

To Speak Under Audience Participation

Audience participation is encouraged. Audience participation provides an opportunity for citizens to address the City Council on items that are not scheduled on that evening's Council agenda. Items discussed during audience participation may be considered at this meeting, referred to staff for research or action, or scheduled for a future meeting.

To address the Council, please complete a sign-up sheet (available at the entry to the Council Chambers) and give it to the City Clerk. Please specify the subject you would like to address. This information is needed for the public record and to assist the City in future communications with you, if necessary.

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 speakers give their name and address so that comments and speaker identification become part of the official record of the meeting.

The Mayor may indicate the amount of time available for each hearing. So that all persons shall have an opportunity to speak, the Mayor may limit the amount of time permitted 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 at another date to take additional 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: Brief and relevant example to clarity 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 would do it?

Executive Session

Closed portion of meeting for discussion of confidential legal matters, personnel matters, labor negotiations and/or real property transactions. State law limits issues that may be discussed in closed executive sessions.