City Council 101

Making Citizen Comments

Community Involvement

One of the easiest ways to get involved with your city is to attend a City Council meeting. Not sure how to speak at a public meeting? Follow our guide for citizen comments.

Guidelines for Citizen Comments

The citizen comments portion of the Council agenda provides an opportunity for citizens to bring to the attention of the City Council matters concerning Glendale city government that are not on the agenda of the meeting.

How to Make a Citizen Comments

  1. Fill out a citizen comments speaker card and turn it in to the city clerk before the start of the meeting.
  2. When you are called, approach the podium.
  3. At the podium, please state your name and address for the record; then present your comments.
  4. As a courtesy to others, please be brief in your comments and refrain from being repetitive of the remarks made by previous speakers.
  5. Large groups may designate a spokesperson.

Speaking Policies & Regulations

  • Personal attacks on Councilmembers, city staff or members of the public are not allowed.
  • It is inappropriate to utilize citizen comments for purposes of making political speeches, including threats of political action.
  • All remarks should be addressed to matters of Glendale City business.
  • Depending on the number of items on the Council agenda and the number of citizen comments cards, the Mayor may establish shorter than the allowed maximum five minute time limit for speakers under citizen comments.
  • Normal standards of decorum and courtesy should be observed by all speakers.
  • It is within the Mayor's discretion to cut short the citizen comments items, even if there are speaker cards remaining.
  • As provided by the Open Meetings Law, the Council cannot engage in discussion or take action on matters raised under citizen comments, unless an actual emergency exists.
  • Council may refer the matter to the City Manager for follow-up. If City Council consideration is needed on an item, the Open Meetings Law will require the matter to be properly noticed as an item on a future Council meeting agenda.

Special Accommodations

It is the policy of the City of Glendale that all City-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities. If you need assistance in participating in this meeting or event due to a disability as defined under the ADA, please call the City's ADA Coordinator at 623-930-2270 or e-mail adacompliance@glendaleaz.com at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.

Questions or Comments

If you have any questions or comments about these rules and procedures, please call the City Manager's Office at 623-930-2870, anytime Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to discuss.

If you have a concern you would like to discuss with your District Councilmember, please call 623-930-2249, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How Your Government Works

Glendale operates under the Council-Manager form of government in accordance with its Charter. Legislative authority is vested in a seven-member City Council consisting of a Mayor elected at large, and six Council members elected based upon a system of geographic districts. Council members serve a term of four years on a staggered basis and the Mayor is elected for a four-year term. The City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and Council.

City Charter & Code

City Council Meetings

The Mayor and City Council hold regular Council meetings to take official action two times each month. These regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Regular meetings are heldat the Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W Glenn Drive.

City Council Workshops

Council workshops are commonly held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Center, 5750 W Glenn Drive.The exact dates of regularly scheduled workshops are included on the calendar of City Council Meetings and officially requested by the City Council at formal Council meetings.

At these workshop "study" sessions, the Council has the opportunity to review and discuss important issues, staff projects and future Council meeting agenda items. Staff is present to answer Council questions. Citizens also may be asked by the Council to provide input. The City Council does not take official action during workshop sessions; therefore, audience comments on agenda items are made only at the request of the Mayor.

Agendas for all city meetings may be obtained 24 hours before the meeting, at the City Clerk's or City Manager's Office in the Municipal Complex, in both city libraries or via the Glendale Website. The agenda and all supporting documents are posted to the city's website. Visit our Public Meetings & Notices page.

City Council meetings are telecast live at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month on City Cable Television Glendale Channel 11. Repeat broadcasts are telecast at various times on Glendale 11 TV.

Workshop meetings are telecast live at 12:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month on City Cable Television Glendale Channel 11. Repeat broadcasts are telecast at various times on Glendale 11 TV. Check the program schedule for more details.

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