Per Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code, meetings of governmental bodies are open to the public to ensure "that the basis and rationale of governmental decisions, as well as those decisions themselves, are easily accessible to the people." The City Council's full Procedural Rules, including those governing participation by members of the public, were adopted by Resolution No. 0132-02-10.

Citizen Participation Guidelines

Sign up to speak by completing the sign up sheet in the back of the Council Chambers before the meeting begins.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City Council public meeting or event should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 319-286-5060 or cityclerk@cedar-rapids.org as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the event.

If you brought a petition which you wish City Council to view, please provide it to the City Clerk for distribution to Council Members when you approach the microphone to speak.

Each speaker will be called upon at an appropriate time during the meeting.

Approach the lectern in the well of the Council Chamber.

Speak in a normal voice and relax. Council is interested in hearing what you have to say, and will carefully consider your input.

Begin by stating your name, address, and name of the group on behalf of which you are speaking (if any).

Address the Council as “Mayor and Members of Council.”

You will be given five minutes to speak before the Council.

Refrain from making personal verbal attacks on members of Council or other citizens, as well as using vulgar language during remarks.

Speakers conducting themselves in disorderly manner may be barred from further participation in the meeting and removed from the Chambers by the peace officer.