Agenda Items

Proclamations is a time allotted to formally recognize individuals or community organizations for their contributions or achievements.

Consent Calendar matters are considered to be routine in nature and will be acted upon in one motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless requested by a member of the Town Council or the public, prior to the time the Town Council votes on the motion to adopt.

Council Reports is a portion of the agenda reserved for staff, Commissioners or Councilmembers to provide informational updates to the Town Council.

Public Hearings are held on matters required by law or ordinance or on items of significance.  The Mayor begins a public hearing by asking for a staff presentation and a presentation by the proponent or applicant involved in the matter being discussed.  Town Councilmembers may ask questions of staff and individuals making presentations, before the Mayor invites citizens to comment.  The Mayor will close the hearing before the Town Council takes action.

Public Participation

The Town Council welcomes your participation at Town Council meetings.  For items not listed on the agenda, the public may address the Town Council during the section titled “For the Good of the Town.”  For items listed on the agenda, the Mayor will call for speakers after the staff report is presented and prior to Town Council discussion.

If you wish to address the Town Council, you should complete and submit a “Request to Speak” form to the City Clerk before the item is presented.  When your name is called, approach the lectern and speak clearly into the microphone, stating your name and address for the record.

Due to the number of items on the agenda and the length of Town Council meetings, speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three minutes.  Spokespersons for a larger group may request more time.

Town Council Actions

The Town Council takes actions in three ways:

Resolutions usually establish Town Council policy or direct certain types of administrative action.  They require a majority vote and are usually effective immediately.  Unlike an ordinance, a resolution requires only one reading and may be changed by a subsequent resolution.

Ordinances are laws adopted by the Town Council which usually amend the Municipal Code or modify zoning designations.  Most ordinances require votes at two separate Town Council meetings – introduction at the first meeting followed by adoption at the second meeting.  Most ordinances become effective 30 days after adoption.

Under certain circumstances, the Town Council may pass an urgency ordinance which becomes effective immediately and must have 4/5 vote of the Town Council.  An ordinance can be repealed only by another ordinance.

Types of Town Council Meetings

Regular Town Council Meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front Street.