Knowledge Base

Open Comment Period Participation Guidelines:

The Open Comment Period provides the community with an opportunity to address the City Council on a topic of their choice. The following speaker guidelines apply:

• Open Comment Period is limited to 20 minutes.
• Each speaker may speak for up to two (2) minutes until the 20-minute period is exhausted.
• Speakers may only speak at one (1) Open Comment Period per calendar month.
• Speakers may not yield their time to another speaker.

If speakers have exhibits to share with the Council: 

Community members are encouraged to share information in advance by emailing materials directly to the Council at citycouncil@rochestermn.gov.

• Printed materials brought to the meeting should be handed to the City Clerk.
• The Clerk will place materials in Council mailboxes & attach them to the meeting record. 
• The City Clerk does not create materials, make copies, run slideshows, or play video for speakers during the Open Comment Period.

Items on the agenda for a public hearing may not be discussed during Open Comment. Matters currently under negotiation, litigation, or related to personnel will not be discussed during Open Comment. Currently virtual participation is not available. If you are unable to attend in-person to provide public comment, or you would prefer to submit your comments through a different medium, the following contact methods are also available:

• Email the City by Noon on the day of the meeting publiccomment@rochestermn.gov and your comment will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting that day.
• Fill out a written open comment form in-person at the Council Meeting and give it to the Clerk.
• Send an open comment in the mail to: City of Rochester - City Clerk 201 4th St SE, Ste 135 Rochester, MN 55904
• Send an email to your individual Councilmember – find their email addresses on the City’s website under City Council – Council Members. 
• Send an email to the full Council at citycouncil@rochestermn.gov.