City Council Meetings and Documents
Starting March 09, 2022, in-person meetings returned to the Takoma Park Community Center. Meetings will be conducted in a hybrid format, with the City Council and most staff typically present in the Auditorium. Participation on Zoom will continue to be an option for community members who do not wish to or cannot attend meetings in person.
Council Meeting Viewing Options (Now Available For Viewing on the Official City TV App)
Members of the public may view the meeting on:
- City TV (RCN – 13, HD 1060; Comcast/Xfinity – 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios – 28);
- City Council Video Page of the City Website;
- YouTube;
- Facebook;
- Android Mobile (first visit – download free app);
- Apple TV & iOS (first visit – download free app);
- Roku (first visit – create a free account);
- Fire TV (first visit – download free app);
Live video or audio public comments will be accepted during the meeting through the Zoom meeting platform with the use of a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. Advance sign-up, by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting is required. Comments are limited to three minutes.
Requests to show slides, pictures, or video must be sent to the City Clerk at least 24 hours before the meeting.
If you prefer to submit a written comment, your comment can be sent to the City Clerk (clerk@takomaparkmd.gov), and they will be provided to the Council before the meeting.
Please be sure to review the instructions about how to use Zoom after you have signed up.
Instructions on how to participate by phone or computer using Zoom
How to Attend or Testify at a City Council Meeting
Council meetings usually begin at 7:30 PM. Always check the agenda to confirm meeting details.
Order of a typical agenda:
- Advertised Public Hearings
- Scheduled Presentations and Reports
- Public Comments on Voting Items
- Council Votes on Resolutions and Ordinances
- Public Comments
- Council Comments
- City Manager Comments
- Work Session
Public Comments
Public comments are limited to three minutes during any public hearing or comment session. Ceding of time is not permitted.
Requests to show visual or audiovisual materials during public comments or hearings must be submitted to the City Clerk at least 24 hours in advance. The digital file or link to the file must be emailed to the City Clerk (clerk@takomaparkmd.gov) no later than noon the day of the meeting or hearing. Flash drives (thumb drives) are not permitted for use at the meeting.
Speaking at the Podium
When speaking at a City Council meeting, state your name and street for the record. Stand at the podium and speak into the microphone to ensure that your comments are heard and recorded. (If you cannot come to the podium, staff will provide a microphone for you.)
To help speakers stay within the three-minute limit, the timer light on the podium will be green when the speaker begins. It turns yellow and gives a reminder “beep” when 30 seconds remain. When time is up, the light turns red and the timer alarm will sound repeatedly. The Council wants to hear from everyone who wishes to speak. The purpose of the time limit is to allow everyone who wants to speak to have an opportunity to do so in a timely manner.
Public Hearings
The City Council may hold scheduled formal public hearings on an issue. Public hearings are a more structured way for the Council to accept testimony. For hearings, speakers are asked to sign up to speak. The Mayor will call speakers to the podium in the order they signed up. Once all speakers who signed up are heard, the Mayor will provide the opportunity for others in the audience to testify. Time limits still apply.
Submitting Comments in Writing
Speakers are welcome to submit their testimony in writing before, during, or after a meeting. The information may be sent to clerk@takomaparkmd.gov or submitted on the comment form.
When hard copies of handouts or exhibits are submitted at a meeting, 10 copies should be provided.
For any testimony or comments submitted electronically by noon on the day of a meeting or hearing, the City Clerk will share the material with the Council and City Manager and include it in the official record of the meeting or hearing. Later comments will be shared, but may not be shared until the next day.
ADA Compliance Notice
The City of Takoma Park is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are able to fully participate in public meetings. Anyone with a disability who wishes to receive auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations at a City of Takoma Park public meeting or public hearing is invited to contact Jessie Carpenter, City Clerk, at jessiec@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7267 at least 48 hours in advance.
Agendas
City Council agendas and agenda items for current calendar year meetings are published on the current and past meeting agenda page. Agenda packets are typically posted eight days before a meeting.
Meeting Calendar and Future Agendas
The City Clerk publishes a four-week projection of City Council meeting agendas and City Council Meeting Calendar. It is posted on the agenda page for each meeting and is emailed along with the agenda to people who have signed up to receive them.
Videos
Archived and current City Council meetings and special events can be viewed on the City Council Video page.
Videos are also streamed and archived on YouTube. However, videos on the City Council Video page include index points to jump to view each discussion item.
Takoma Park City TV can be viewed on cable television; Takoma Park is carried regionally on RCN, Verizon and Comcast. Check with your cable provider for the correct channel listing.
