Public Comment Procedures

Guidelines for Speaking at Addison City Government Public Meetings

All speakers must submit a Speaker Card. When completing a Speaker Card, please select only one of the options below. If you’d like to speak on an item that is or is not on the meeting agenda, select Public Comment. If you’d like to speak on an agenda item that is designated as a Public Hearing, please select Public Hearing. Once completed, please place the card on the City Secretary's desk at the front of the Chambers.

Public Comment

• Speaker is allowed to address the Council during the Public Comment period of the meeting only.
• Speakers must address their comments to the presiding officer rather than to individual Council Members or staff.
• Speakers should stand at the podium and speak into the microphone, stating their name and address prior to beginning remarks.
• Speakers are allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for comments.
• Speakers making personal, impertinent, profane, or slanderous remarks may be removed from the room. Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of feet, whistles, yells, or similar demonstrations are not permitted.
• No placards, banners, or signs are permitted in the Chambers or in any other room in which the Council is meeting.
• In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the City Council is restricted from discussing or taking action on items not listed on the agenda. Action can only be taken at a future meeting.

Public Hearing

• Speaker is allowed to address the Council during the Public Hearing period of the meeting only.
• Speakers must address their comments to the presiding officer rather than to individual council members or staff.
• Speakers should stand at the podium and speak into the microphone, stating their name and address prior to beginning remarks.
• Remarks should be concise and should present the Council with information not substantially addressed by previous testimony.
• Speakers are allowed a maximum of three (3) minutes for comments.
• Individuals who do not wish to speak, but want to register support or opposition, should also fill out a speaker card. The Mayor will read each name into the record.