Council Meeting Procedures

About City Council Meetings

The City Council holds regular meetings on the first, second and fourth Mondays of the month. The meetings on the first Monday of each month, except in January and September, are work sessions (workshops) intended for in-depth discussion of city business and ordinarily no final action will be taken. When a regular meeting or work session falls on a holiday, it is automatically rescheduled to the following Tuesday. The Council does not meet the month of August or the fourth Monday of December. For more information about City Council meetings, please call City Hall at (360) 363-8000.

Regular Meetings


  • 7 p.m.
  • Second and fourth Monday of every month in addition to the first Monday in January and September

Work Sessions


  • 7 p.m.
  • First Monday of each month except in January and September

Public Notice

The City Council conducts hybrid Council Meetings and Work Sessions. This means residents can attend meetings in person or via Zoom. 

To listen to the meeting without providing public comment:
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86246307568
Or dial in at 888 475 4499 with meeting ID 862 4630 7568

Public Comment

In-person and virtual public comment is encouraged, providing an opportunity for citizens to address the City Council on items that are not scheduled on that evening’s agenda for the regular Council business meeting. Items discussed during audience participation may be considered at this meeting, referred to staff for research or action, or scheduled for a future meeting.

Public comment is not accepted at workshop meetings (first meeting of the month) unless the City Council votes to accept such comment.

In-person Public Comment:

Please arrive at City Council Chambers before meeting begins and complete a Citizen Comment Sign-up form. Turn in completed form to the Recording Secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

Virtual Public Comment:

Citizens who participate remotely and wish to provide written or verbal public comment must pre-register before noon on the day of the meeting using our Remote Public Comment form.

Written Public Comment Only:

Written comment must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. by completing the written comment section of the Remote Public Comment form by 12 p.m. the day of the Council meeting.

Public Testimony or Comment at Public Hearings

Local governments are sometimes required by state law to hold public hearings. A public hearing is primarily intended to obtain public testimony or comment before significant decisions are made.

The issues addressed in these public hearings may be contentious, may involve due process rights of private parties, and can generate litigation, so it is important for the city to follow proper hearing procedures.

Anyone wishing to provide remote verbal or written public comment must pre-register before noon on the day of the meeting using our Remote Public Comment form.

When applicable, the public hearing format is explicitly set forth on the agenda.

Speakers must give their true name, address, and name of organization that has authorized their testimony, if applicable, 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 citizens 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 at another date to take additional testimony when the existing available time is not sufficient.

Suggested Public Hearing Presentation Model

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?

All written and verbal public comment will be documented as public comment. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 360-363-8000 or cityclerk@marysvillewa.gov.