Guidelines for public testimony
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Find out how to provide public testimony to the Metro Council in person, by mail or by e-mail. These guidelines were created to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to be heard.
There are many opportunities for providing comments, recommendations and testimony to the Metro Council. Your input may very well influence policy decisions for the region. It also becomes part of the permanent record and may be used in future research.
Testimony at meetings and public hearings
All ordinances are required by law to be open for a public hearing prior to any legislative action by the Metro Council. Resolutions are open to public testimony at the discretion of the council president. Every council meeting includes a citizen communications agenda item to provide an opportunity for comments on topics that are not on the agenda.
Guidelines for oral testimony
- Meeting agendas are available on Metro's website, posted in the council chamber, and available prior to meetings. When you arrive at the meeting verify that your item of interest is on the agenda. If not, check with the clerk of the council to determine if a public hearing is scheduled at another time or if you should testify during the citizen communications portion of the meeting.
- Fill out a testimony card specifying your name, address and agenda item (if applicable). You must be present to turn in your card and may submit only one card. Turn in your testimony card to council staff or the clerk of the council. The council president will determine the order in which you are called upon to testify.
- Most public testimony is limited to three minutes. Practice beforehand to make sure that you have enough time to discuss the points most important to you.
- When you are called to testify, go to the front of the room and sit at a microphone facing the council. Begin your testimony by stating "For the record my name is ______ and my address is _______."
- Address the council as "Council President and members of council."
- Begin by saying you support or oppose a legislative measure on the agenda and briefly explain why. Support your personal opinions with as many facts as possible. Prepare an outline so you do not need to read your testimony word for word.
- Provide written testimony. When you are called to testify, give one copy of your testimony to the clerk of the council. If you have visual aids (i.e. small maps), make ten copies prior to the meeting, and give them to the clerk.
- If you require special accommodation in order to testify before the council, please make your request to the council clerk at 503-797-1542 at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Guidelines for written testimony
- Fax testimony to 503-797-1793.
- Mail testimony to the Metro Council, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97232.
- Send e-mail to metrocouncil@oregonmetro.gov.
Written testimony is always welcome. In some cases, there may be a deadline to submit written testimony on a particular subject. Call the Metro Council Office at 503-797-1540 to verify testimony deadlines. Identify the agenda item or topic you are providing comments on at the beginning of your letter or e-mail message. Written testimony may be submitted by mail, e-mail or fax.
Need assistance?
Metro Council
503-797-1540 | 503-797-1793 fax
metrocouncil@oregonmetro.gov
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