How to Provide Public Testimony at Council Meetings

The Salem City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.  The Salem Housing Authority meets on the 1st Monday of each month, and the Urban Renewal Agency meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.  If a holiday falls on a Monday, the meeting may be rescheduled to the following Tuesday.

Two periods are designated on every Council agenda for comment by citizens on items of City business.

The first period, which is near the beginning of the meeting, is for citizens to comment on agenda items, except public hearings, deliberations and land use issues that are reviewable by Council at public hearings. 

The second period, which is at the end of the meeting, is for citizens to comment on any issue of City business that is not on the agenda.

You must sign up before the Council meeting begins, and sign-up sheets are located on the counter at the east side of the council chambers. If you have signed up to speak, come forward to the podium when the Mayor calls your name.   Begin your statement by giving your name and address.

Public comment shall not be used to testify about a quasi-judicial land use matter, to testify on an item that is not a public matter, to testify on a matter which has been or is scheduled to be heard by a hearings official, or to provide or gather additional testimony or information on any matter after the official record has been closed on any matter which has been the subject of a public hearing.

Remarks are limited to three minutes.   A yellow light will come on after two minutes, indicating there is one minute remaining.  A red light will come on when speaking time has ended.