How to Appear Before Council

The City Council invites citizens to address the Council on any topic. Citizens wishing to speak should complete a Registration Card and present it to the City Secretary before the meeting begins. Each speaker must come to the podium, sign the Register Sheet and identify themselves for Council records.

Speakers are allowed 5 minutes and may speak on posted agenda items either during the item’s consideration or under Citizens Comments. Should you wish to comment on a matter not posted, you may do so during Citizens Comments. Speakers who address the Council through a translator will be given at least twice the allotted time.

In accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, the City Council cannot discuss or take action on an unposted item. However, the Mayor may request the City Manager to provide additional information at a future meeting on a matter of general interest to the full City Council, the public at large and to the citizen making the comment. Issues may be referred to City Staff for research and possible future action.

Demeaning any individual or group, including insulting the honesty and/or integrity of the Council; profane, insulting or threatening language, racial, ethnic or gender slurs will not be tolerated. Violation of these rules may result in cancellation of time, removal from the Chambers, a contempt citation, and/or such other sanctions as may be authorized by law.

Tips for Successful Presentations 

• State your name and address at the start of your presentation.
• The best presentations about the issue under discussion are to the point. Presentations that are less than three minutes long, but to the point, are more effective with council than long and repetitive presentations.
• If your point has been made by previous speakers, feel free to inform the mayor that you do not need to speak because your point had been raised. You can make a simple statement from your seat such as the following: "I do not wish to speak. My point has been made."
• If you plan to present Council with information, have it organized and ready to pass to the city secretary, who will distribute it to council. Begin your presentation immediately.
• Address your remarks to the whole council, rather than to a specific member.
• When the city secretary's timer goes off to signal the end of your time, sum up immediately to avoid the mayor interrupting you with instructions to stop.