Health & Fitness
Getting Your Voice Heard at a City Council Workshop or Meeting
Want to address the City Council during a meeting? Have an opinion you want your elected officials to hear? Here's how!
As I returned from a City Council workshop Thursday, I had someone stop me to ask how they could give their opinion on a budget item. It never really occurred to me that many folks don’t know how to communicate with the Council and city staff. To me, Gulfport’s city staff and elected officials are very accessible.
There is a protocol to follow however if you attend meetings. City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at Gulfport City Hall at 7 p.m.
At the beginning of every Council meeting there is a period for ‘public comment.’ At that time you may have three minutes to speak on anything that is NOT on the agenda. If your issue is ON the agenda you must wait until such time as it is brought up and you may have three minutes for ‘public comment’ at that time. You must state your name and address first so that the appropriate individuals can get back with you if need be and the gist of your comments can be put into the official minutes.
Find out what's happening in Gulfportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
If you attend a workshop, you again have three minutes of ‘public comment’ in the beginning of the meeting to discuss an issue ON the agenda and that is your only time to comment.
If you cannot find time to attend a workshop or a council meeting, there is always the phone or better yet email. Each councilmember has their first initial followed by last name @mygulfport.us.
Find out what's happening in Gulfportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mayor Yakes: MYakes@mygulfport.us
Vice Mayor Hastings: DHastings@mygulfport.us
Council member Banno: BBanno@mygulfport.us
Council member Salmon: JSalmon@mygulfport.us
Council member Henderson: SHenderson@mygulfport.us
City Manager O’Reily: JOreilly@mygulfport.us
Remember, any emails or written materials become part of public record.
The City website www.mygulfport.us is a great source of information on when meetings are scheduled and the Council agenda and supporting materials are posted the Friday before a Tuesday Council meeting. Minutes of previous meetings and videos are also readily available on the site. If you are looking to contact an individual city employee there is also a directory with phone and email addresses.
I’m always glad to answer whatever I can while I am out and about in town, so don’t hesitate to ask. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around town!