How to appear or speak before City Council

In order to address the City Council, the following process must be followed: 

1. Registering

Once the City Council meeting agenda is posted to the city’s website on Friday, residents must register by 5 p.m. the day of the meeting by:

  • First review the instructions on filling out a speaker card online. Next, visit the new location to open an agenda and fill out a speaker card online for any action item.
  • Calling the City Secretary’s Office at 817-392-6164 or 817-392-6150
  • Faxing the request to 817-392-6196
  • Completing a speaker card in-person in the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall no later than 5 p.m. prior to the start of the meeting.

2. Presentations

Presentations by individuals under Public Presentations are limited to a total of 3 minutes (CRP 5.4.2g). Individuals may sign up to speak one time under Public Presentations; however multiple subjects may be discussed within the 3 minute timeframe. Although the system allows subsequent registration(s) by the same speaker, all subsequent registrations and subjects will be combined into the speaker’s original request.

3. Speaking

When speaking for 10 or more individuals present in the City Council Chamber, the presentation is limited to 6 minutes by the representative of the group, other members of the group may not speak. Individuals will be asked to stand to confirm their attendance. All names need to be provided at the time of registration. If not all of the 10 people are represented at the meeting, the presentation is limited to three minutes.

4. Electronic Media

Speaker’s Use of Electronic Media: Any person wishing to make a presentation that includes video or another form of electronic media must provide that information in digital format to the City Secretary’s Office no later than 3 p.m. the day of a City Council Meeting starting at 7 p.m., or by 5 p.m. the day before a City Council Meeting starting at 10 a.m., for review by the staff. City staff shall review the information as to form and content. The information shall not contain any statements, graphics or pictures that are offensive or reflect personal attacks on other individuals, the City Council members or city staff. The digital format must be compatible with the city’s technology equipment. The presentation will be tested prior to the City Council Meeting to ensure that it is compatible with the city’s equipment.

Tips for Making Successful Presentations to the Fort Worth City Council 

  • State your name and city of residence at the start of your presentation.
  • The best presentations about the issue under discussion are to the point. Presentations that are less than 3 minutes long, but to the point, are more effective with Council than long and repetitive presentations.
  • If your point has been made by previous speakers, feel free to inform the Mayor that you do not need to speak because your point had been made. You can make a simple statement from your seat such as the following: “I do not wish to speak. My point has been made.”
  • If you plan to present Council with information, have the materials organized and ready to present to the City Secretary who will distribute it to Council, and begin your presentation immediately.
  • Address your remarks to the whole Council, rather than to a specific member.
  • Do not ask Council if anyone has questions. Council will ask you to stay at the podium if there is a question.
  • Each podium has a count-down clock, which will indicate how much time is remaining to speak. When the time has ended, a bell will sound and your comments should be completed.

Contact

Mailing Address:
City Hall
200 Texas St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Phone:
817-392-6150

City Secretary
Mary J. Kayser

Email the City Secretary's Office

History

Mary Kayser
1/30/2012 to present

Marty Hendrix
8/16/2004 to 12/01/2011

Gloria Pearson
6/1/1998 to 2/28/2004

Alice Church
5/4/1992 to 5/31/1998

Ruth Howard
3/1/1983 to 10/31/1991

Jack W. Green
4/1/1976 to 2/28/1983

Roy A. Bateman
12/7/1955 to 4/1/1976

E. S. Birdsong
8/1/1937 to 11/30/1955

Henry Keller
7/21/1932 to 8/1/1937

I. L. Van Zandt, Jr.
7/1/1925 to 7/20/1932

C. S. Snow
4/16/1921 to 7/1/1925

Jas. Liston, Jr.
1/1/1919 to 4/16/1921

H. A. Lawrence
4/17/1917 to 1/1/1919

M. P. Harwood, Jr.
4/15/1913 to 4/17/1917

W. J. Estes
1907 to 1913

John T. Montgomery
1893 to 1907

H. V. Burns
1891 to 1893

Henry R. Early
1885 to 1891

Stuart Harrison
1883 to 1885

C. McDougall
1875 to 1883

Theo. Hitchcock
1874 to 1875

John F. Swayne
12/18/1873 to 1874

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