The City of Marengo meets regularly on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 6:00 pm, with special sessions scheduled when necessary. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 153 E. Main. The Public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Copies of the agenda are posted in advance of the meeting on the City’s website and in the lobby of city hall no later than 24 hours before the meeting. During a meeting of the City Council, there is a need for civility and expedition in the carrying out of public business. In order to ensure the public has a full opportunity to be heard and the City Council has an opportunity to conduct business in an orderly manner, the following rules are established in regard to public participation at City Council meetings:
At each meeting there is a designated period of time for “Open Forum” during which individuals in the audience can speak on an item not on the agenda. For items on the agenda, individuals will have an opportunity to address the Council at the time the agenda item is discussed. If you would like to request for a specific item to be added to an agenda, contact the city clerk at 319-642-3232 or [email protected].
Meetings are audio recorded so individuals must approach the podium and speak loudly and clearly. Individuals must state their name, address and subject matter for the record. Time is limited to three minutes per person/subject. Longer presentations must be scheduled through the city clerk’s office.
Council action or discussion should not be expected at the time of Open Forum or during public comment. The City Council will listen and may choose to direct staff to provide further information so that the subject may be studied before action is considered. Individuals requesting specific information will be asked to complete an Information Disclosure Request which will be responded to by City staff. Public comments are always taken during Public Hearings. However for other items, it is left to the discretion of the Mayor and Councilors as to whether to take comments as they conduct the business of the City. An individual’s comments must be directed to the subject under consideration. The mayor shall rule on the relevance of the comments. Individuals making personal, repetitive, slanderous, or disruptive remarks, or engaging in any action that otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of a council meeting, shall not be recognized during the remainder of the meeting. To ensure the meeting is conducted orderly and free from interference or interruption, the mayor is vested with exclusive discretion to review and determine whether remarks or actions meet any prohibited terms of this rule. Without limitation, arguing about any determination will be considered disruptive.
Individuals unable to attend a City Council meeting or who would like to ask a question before a meeting are encouraged to contact the city clerk who may be able to answer questions on behalf of the City of Marengo.