Public Hearing Process

In an effort to streamline the process of Public Hearings, the City Council has adopted a Public Hearings Process that outlines the amount of time to be allowed for both the applicant and the public wishing to provide comment on the matter.

This protocol outlined on this page provides clear guidelines to better manage the process allowing everyone an opportunity to be heard and at the same time facilitating Council's ability to reach a decision on the matter brought before them.

Public Hearing Process

The City Council has adopted a Public Hearings Process that outlines the amount of time to be allowed for both the applicant and the public wishing to provide comment on the matter.

This protocol outlined on this page provides clear guidelines to better manage the process allowing everyone an opportunity to be heard and at the same time facilitating Council's ability to reach a decision on the matter brought before them.

Process

Upon the Public Hearing item on the agenda the process will be as follows:

1. Staff Introduction of the item
2. Applicant overview (not to exceed 15 minutes; upon approval of the City Council, the applicant may extend the overview)
3. Open Public Hearing
4. Close Public Hearing
   1. Public comments (not to exceed 3 minutes each)
   2. Applicant closes (not to exceed 3 minutes)

Submittal of Request to Be Heard

• Any person wishing to speak at a Public Hearing scheduled on the agenda shall complete a Request to Speak Card (PDF) prior to the opening of the Public Hearing, and present it to the City Secretary.
• Upon being recognized by the Mayor (presiding officer), the person may speak or present evidence relevant to the matter being heard. No person may speak without first being recognized by the Mayor.
• All persons wishing to speak on the matter shall be limited to three minutes each.
• Upon the opening of the Public Hearing, any individual submitting a comment card will be allowed to speak and the completed card will be retained in the official public record of the meeting.
• The Request to Speak cards are available in the Council Chambers foyer prior to the meeting.

Germane Comments

During the Public Hearing, no person will be permitted to speak about matters or present evidence which is not germane to the matter being considered. A determination of relevance shall be made by the Mayor (presiding officer).

Materials for Public Record

All persons interested in the matter being heard by the City Council shall be entitled to submit written evidence or remarks, as well as other graphic evidence. All such evidence presented will be retained by the City as part of the record of the hearing, in accordance with these guidelines and requirements of state law.