Citizen Participation

The Council welcomes citizens at all Council meetings and encourages them to express their opinions on any matter within the Council's authority.

COVID-19 Procedures

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Council meetings are being held remotely using the Zoom platform. Public testimony during public hearings and audience comments will be accommodated through Zoom and by telephone. The public is requested to sign up to testify or provide general comments by emailing the City Clerk by 3 pm on the day of the meeting.

Americans with Disabilities Act

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 509-886-6103 (TTY 711). Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 Code of Federal Regulations 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1).

Manner of Addressing the Council & Time Limit

For an orderly and effective meeting, the speaker must be recognized by the Mayor before speaking. All speakers must deliver their comments in a courteous and efficient manner. Each person addressing the Council must step up to the podium and provide their name and address for the record. Typically, a speaker is limited to three minutes.

Where an organization is appearing before the City Council, it should designate a representative to speak on behalf of its members. All remarks must be addressed to the Council as a body and not to any individual member. All questions must be addressed to the Mayor.

Public Comment Period

Each meeting includes a "Public Comment" period. This is the time for any person to present an issue, raise a question or concern, or even compliment the City. Comments may be made at this time on any subject which is not quasi-judicial in nature or scheduled for a public hearing. Quasi-judicial subjects are specifically noted with an asterisk (*) on Council agenda (quasi-judicial matters typically involve obtaining a permit for a specific project or proposal). The City Council will accept public testimony during a public hearing.

Discretion of the Council

The Council intends these rules to promote an orderly public involvement process to provide each person an opportunity to be heard. The Mayor has the discretion to have anyone removed from the meeting for out of order comments or actions that disrupt the meeting.