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Public Speaking Guidelines for City Council Meetings

Home / Public Speaking Guidelines for City Council Meetings

Those wishing to address the council during its meetings must abide by the following guidelines:

Rules of Decorum

  • Speakers must observe the rules of decorum and speak only upon recognition by the Mayor.
  • No abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language or gestures are permitted, nor the display of obscene materials.
  • Personal attacks on any individual unrelated to a matter of public concern or the manner in which the individual performs their duties are prohibited, as well as disruptive behavior that impairs the rights of other participants at the meeting.
  • Speakers not following rules of decorum and/or disrupting the meeting will forfeit their remaining time to speak.
  • The mayor may suspend the speaking session for non-agenda items, if speakers become disruptive, fail to follow rules of decorum and civility, or speak in a manner that prevents the meeting from being conducted in an orderly and efficient manner.

Addressing the Council on Agenda Items and Public Hearings

Speaker Request Form

  • The speaker request form is available through the City Secretary’s Office, or at the sign-in desk outside Council Chambers the night of the meeting, and must be filled out in-person before the start of the second regular or special meeting.
  • The form must include the speaker’s name, address, phone number, and the specific agenda item they wish to address.
  • Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Time Limits / Large Groups

  • Speakers are allotted a max time of three minutes.
  • If a large number of speakers have signed up representing a group and on the same topic, the Mayor may ask that the group designate a representative to present their collective comments.
  • During public hearings, the applicant or appellant will not be subject to the time limit.

Addressing the Council on City-Related, Non-Agenda Items

Comments are limited to non-agenda items that involve city business or affairs under the authority and legislative functions of the city council.

Speaker Request Form

  • The form must be completed by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting.
    • Online: Form
    • In-person: City Secretary’s Office, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Call: 979-209-5008
  • The form must include the speaker’s name, address, phone number, and the specific item they wish to address.
  • Those who do not meet the form deadline or provide incomplete information will not be recognized to speak.

Time Limits / Large Groups

  • A maximum of 30 minutes is allocated for non-agenda items that will occur at the end of the second regular meeting agenda.
  • Speakers are allotted a max time of three minutes and must stick to the topic on their form.
  • The mayor has the discretion to set a shorter time should there be a larger number of individuals who registered to speak. For example, if 15 individuals signed up, each person would be limited to two minutes each.
  • If a large number of speakers have signed up representing a group and on the same topic, the mayor may ask that the group designate a representative to present their collective comments.