How to Make a Public Comment at a City Council Meeting

Making a public comment at a city council meeting is a citizen's right. Council members are public servants and they have an obligation to hear their constituents on matters that affect them. There's usually a specified time during open meetings of the city council for comments from individuals from the community, as well as a time limit for speaking. Here's how to prepare and address your city council.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the issue you want to speak about. Read the minutes of previous council meetings where the council discussed the issue. Pay attention to which council members made pro and con comments. This will help you identify who favors and who opposes your view of the issue.

2. Prepare your remarks before speaking. You don't have to write a speech but making an outline beforehand will help you cover the points you want to make and ease the nervousness of speaking in public.

3. Ask friends and neighbors who share your views to attend the meeting when you speak. Having a sympathetic group behind you will strengthen your position and give you confidence when speaking. There is strength in numbers.

4. Step up to the microphone when the council invites public comment. State your full name and address. You are speaking on the public record and identifying yourself is part of the requirement for making public comment.

5. Speak clearly and forcefully, but be respectful and avoid personal attacks on council members. Make eye contact with each of the council members as you speak. Be succinct, realizing you will usually have no more than two minutes to speak, but cover all the points you want to make, using your outline.