City Council

Commenting in person

Members of the public are allowed and encouraged to speak to the city council during the open public comment or during a public hearing of a council meeting.

During the open public comment portion you may take one opportunity to address the Council for two minutes (not including interpreter’s time) on any topic, even if on the agenda, with the condition that you may not speak on the same item later in the meeting.

Signing up to speak

Complete a sign up with your name and address. Sign up cards are located on the table when entering the Council Chambers. Submit your card to the city clerk.

 You may also use the electronic register to speak option on the City’s website.

or

Contact the City Clerk no later than noon on the day of the meeting. 

When to speak

During the open public comment or public hearing, the Mayor will call up individuals to speak at the podium, based on preregistration and cards submitted. People who wish to speak who haven’t signed up may do so after all others have spoken. They will be asked to fill out a sign up card after they have spoken.

Etiquette when speaking

Please be respectful of the public’s and the Council’s time. Members of the public wishing to speak must follow these guidelines:

• Speak only once for no more than two minutes (not including interpreter’s time) on the topic unless the speaker is addressed by the Council
• Identify your relationship to the topic
• Have a spokesperson or two for your group to present your comments

Reponses to questions

If you want a response to a question, you must submit the question in writing to the City Clerk. Questions must include your name and information on how to contact you.

Commenting virtually via Zoom

You may join a Council meeting virtually via Zoom. This option is for those who intend to speak during the open public comment or a public hearing. A separate option (and link) is available to watch a meeting only without the option to speak.

Rules of etiquette for hybrid meetings

• Please identify yourself once in the Zoom meeting (type your name in Zoom window).
• Camera must be off and audio must be muted unless speaking.
• Only speak when directed to by the mayor or other meeting chair.
• There is a two minute limit for addressing the Council.
• Rules of business applies for decorum.
• The City of Northfield reserves the right to mute any meeting participant.
• The City of Northfield reserves the right to remove any meeting participant for not following Rules of Business.
• The City of Northfield reserves the right to turn off any meeting participant’s camera and/or audio if they are on while not addressing the Council.

 Joining the meeting virtually via Zoom

Each meeting has a unique web address.  To find this information, go to the Calendar on the City's webpage and find the specific meeting.

Commenting on agenda items with eComment

The City of Northfield has an electronic comment (eComment) feature for City Council meetings. eComment provides an easy way for residents to add their voices to the process and makes participation in public meetings convenient when it may be difficult to the attend the meeting in person.

Once the agenda is published, the eComment link will be active. Residents can review agenda item details, indicate their position on an item and leave feedback by clicking on the eComment tab on the City Council meetings page:

View City Council meeting information and comment

Comments may be submitted until noon on the day of the meeting. Residents may also use the Register to Speak option to sign up in advance to speak at the meeting. For additional information on using eComment and Register to Speak, please see the instructions.

Instructions for eComment and Register to Speak (PDF)

For more information, contact the city clerk.

Lynette Peterson
City Clerk
507-645-3001
Email Lynette Peterson