Community members have a new method to let your City Councilmembers know what you think about issues they will be discussing at their next meeting. Weigh in now using "E-Comment" for Tuesday's meeting.
The public eComment online system helps for your voice to be heard in the democratic process. The City Council can receive public comments on current agenda items via www.cityofslt.us
Citizens complete a web comment form which is embedded into the online Council agenda packet.
The eComment period opens when the agenda is posted on the City's website on the Thursday afternoon (no later than 5:00 p.m.) prior to the Tuesday 9:00 a.m. City Council meeting. The eComment period closes at 4:00 p.m. the Monday prior to the City Council meeting in order to provide staff adequate time to compile data and distribute the comments to the Council and staff for review prior to the meeting. Staff also makes a copy for viewing available to the public which is located in the public agenda packet on the podium outside the door of the Council Chambers.
For Special Meetings of the City Council, eComment opening time begins when the agenda is posted and the closing time varies depending on what time the meeting begins.
How it works:
When the agenda is posted online, a public eComment link is placed in the agenda under the staff report for a specific item. Before the City Council meeting, citizens not only have the opportunity to read the staff reports, they can click on the online public eComment link, complete the form online, and submit their comments on the item.
Online eComment Benefits:
Provides a method for increased civic engagement in the democratic process through electronic media;
Provides a convenient means for citizen input for those who are unable to attend the meeting;
Encourages more informed comments by providing a one-stop location for viewing staff reports and providing public comment;
Is a convenient online system for citizens to reach all five Councilmembers simultaneously;
Allows electronic citizen comments to be part of the public record in with California open meeting laws;
Enables the City Clerk's Office to track, maintain and archive electronic comments;
Provides the City Council with an easy-to-read, organized report of eComments prior to each meeting.