Know your rights
If you require language interpretation in order to testify in person, make your request to Metro Council office at 503-797-1916 at least five business days before the meeting.
If you require services or accommodations due to a disability or in order to testify in person, make your request to Metro Council office at 503-797-1916 at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Learn more
You may share your comments, preferences and recommendations to the Metro Council in a number of ways. Your input may influence policy decisions. It would become a part of the permanent record for decision-making in our region.
You may give testimony during:
Council meetings
At the beginning of every council meeting, the Metro Council president invites people to offer testimony on topics that may or may not be on the agenda. This portion of the council meeting is called “public communications.”
Public hearings on ordinances
The law requires all Metro Council ordinances to be open for a public hearing. At public hearings on ordinances, the public may offer comments before any legislative action by the council.
Public hearings on resolutions
The law does not require public hearings on council resolutions. But public comment on resolutions is accepted at the discretion of the council president.
You may also share written comments online
You may submit testimony to Metro Council online at any time. Submit comments by 4 p.m. on the day before a scheduled Metro Council meeting of your interest in order for your comments to be part of that meeting’s record. Before meetings begin, Metro Council members receive comments turned in by the deadline.
Submit testimony online
How to give comments at a meeting
All public meetings are held online until further notice. To give comments to Metro Council during an online meeting:
Before a meeting
- View meeting agendas to see if your topic of interest would be covered. Comments on topics not on the agenda are requested in the public communications portion of the agenda at the start of each meeting. Testimony on specific ordinances takes place during the public hearing scheduled for that item.
- (Optional) Sign up in advance by emailing the Legislative Coordinator at [email protected]. Let the coordinator know if you wish to comment on a topic on the meeting agenda. People who sign up by noon on the day of the meeting would be at the front of the line to give comments. Signing up in advance is not required to give public comment.
- Public testimony is limited to three minutes per person. It can be helpful to practice beforehand to make sure you have enough time, and to prepare an outline so you do not read your testimony word for word. If a significant number of individuals signs up to testify, then the three-minute testimony length per person may be reduced to ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak.
At the online meeting
- On the day of the meeting, visit Metro’s Council Calendar page. Find the meeting you’d like to attend and click the location link to join on your computer. If you prefer to join by phone, then dial the phone number listed on the web page. Give yourself a few extra minutes to log in if this is your first time participating in an online meeting.
- Wait for the public communications portion of the agenda, or the public hearing on an ordinance. Your name will be called when it’s your turn, if you signed up in advance. If you did not sign up in advance, listen for instructions to “raise your hand” virtually.
- Begin your testimony by saying, “For the record my name is ______.”
- Address the council as, “Council president and members of council.”
- If you are sharing input about a scheduled council decision, say whether you support or oppose the legislative measure. Briefly explain why. Support your personal opinions with as many facts as possible.
How to give your comments in person
The council chamber is located within Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave. in the Lloyd District of Portland.
Please note that all Metro public meetings are currently held on Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need assistance accessing the meeting online, please call the Legislative Coordinator at 503-797-1916 at least 2 business days before the meeting.
Before a meeting
- View meeting agendas in advance online or in the council chambers to see if your topic of interest is on the agenda.
- Public testimony is limited to three minutes per person. It can be helpful to practice beforehand to make sure you have enough time, and to prepare an outline so you do not read your testimony word for word. If a significant number of individuals signs up to testify, then the three-minute testimony length per person may be reduced to ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak.
- Bring 10 (ten) copies of any supporting material, such as maps or other literature, and an extra copy of your written testimony. Give these copies to the legislative coordinator when you are called to testify.
At a meeting
- If you arrive at the meeting and your item is not on the agenda, ask the legislative coordinator if you should testify during the public communications portion of the meeting, or if you should return to testify when your item is scheduled at another time.
- Fill out a testimony card with your name, address and agenda item (if applicable). Turn in the card to the legislative coordinator. You must be present to turn in your card. The council allows only one card per person, per meeting. The council president determines the order that members of the public are called to speak.
- When you are called to testify, go to the front of the room and sit at a table with a microphone. Begin your testimony by saying, "For the record my name is ______."
- Address the council as, "Council president and members of council."
- Begin by saying whether you support or oppose the legislative measure on the agenda. Briefly explain why. Support your personal opinions with as many facts as possible.
How to give your comments by mail
- Mail written testimony to 600 NE Grand Ave. Portland, OR 97232 with attention to the Metro Council.
- Include your name and contact information.
- Include ten (10) copies of any supporting materials, such as maps or other literature.
- Identify in your comments if the testimony you are submitting is related to a topic on the agenda for an upcoming council meeting or public hearing. Testimony must be received before the start of the meeting to be a part of the meeting’s record.
- Copies of your testimony will be provided to the council if it is received before the scheduled council meeting.