So how does a member of the public get an item on the city council agenda?
The previous post mentioned City of Anacortes Resolution #1374 ("Enacting Procedures to Clarify and Direct City Council Responsibility, Rules, and Meeting Procedures"), which, in Section 4, discusses how any city official or member of public may put an item on the council's agenda.
You can view/download this resolution <here>, but here are the highlights of the procedure:
- Notify the city clerk (in writing, 11 copies) by 4:30pm on the Tuesday before the council meeting of the purpose of your request, the estimated time needed to present the matter. Include written documents or other material that will be referred to during your presentation to the council.
- This is forwarded to the mayor, who will determine whether or not it's convenient to present this item at the next council meeting or whether it should be extended to a following meeting.
- The mayor will also take into consideration the importance of the subject matter, whether it's an emergency matter, and the length of time of the proposed presentation.
- The completed and approved agenda will be made available no later than 4:30pm, on the Thursday preceding the regular meeting or study session.
This Section also notes that any council member may propose an item for council discussion by notifying the city clerk. Any three council members may place an item on the first available council agenda.