Tigard City Council: Protocol for Public Comment

I. Remarks to Council as a Whole During Comment/Hearings.

Generally, remarks should be addressed to the Council as a body rather than directed to any particular member. A question may only be asked of a Council member with the permission of the Mayor or presiding officer.

II. Respectful and Courteous Input at Public Comment/Hearings.

The Council’s intent is to be welcoming and inclusive toward all speakers at public meetings, and to create an atmosphere of mutual care and respect. Council meetings often provide an opportunity to provide public input, and for community members to share thoughts and opinions with their elected leaders. Personal attacks or threats; disruption of the meeting; use of obscene, vulgar, or discriminatory language; or in any way discouraging anyone else from participating are not acceptable. While community members may disagree with each other or the City on issues and give critical feedback, they are expected to do so respectfully, in accordance with these rules.

III. Disruption at Public Meetings.

The Mayor or presiding officer may interrupt members of the public speaking to Council if they are engaging in personal attacks, attacks on identity (gender, race, sexuality, etc.) or other discriminatory comments, engaging in accusatory, insulting, offensive or harmful behavior that disrupts the Council meeting, or not speaking to the subject matter of a public hearing.

Any member of the audience who disrupts a Council meeting may be asked to stop, and if the disruption continues, may be excluded from the meeting (or muted in a virtual meeting) by the Mayor or presiding officer if necessary to maintain order, conduct business efficiently, or allow others the ability to participate. Violations of this rule may be stopped immediately, particularly related to discriminatory or racist comments. Such disruptions will be addressed as efficiently as possible.

IV. Viewpoint Neutral.

The Mayor and Council will enforce these rules uniformly and treat all perspectives and opinions consistently.

• Resolution No. 23-42 – Public Comment Protocol