Speaking at a Council Meeting

Community members can appear before council as a formal delegation or ask a question as an individual during public question period at each council meeting.

Delegations

Members of the public who intend to bring a formal delegation before council must submit a Delegation Application.

Examples of delegations include:

• A presentation to council
• Submitting a request for action
• Updating council on a special project or program

Delegation Restrictions:

• Maximum of 15 minutes for presentation, exclusive of questions from council.
• Handouts must be included with the delegation application, including a hard copy of any electronic presentations.
• PowerPoint or other electronic presentations must be provided to Council 24 hours in advance.
• Maximum of two speakers per delegation.

Delegations will not be heard:

• If the matter being discussed is before the courts.
• If council has authorized legal action.
• At council meetings regarding official community plans or zoning amendment bylaws that have already been to public hearing.

Ensure your delegation presentation is successful:

• Be consistent and clear in your message.
• Be patient and respectful of the process and the time allotted.
• Be prepared to answer questions from Council.
• Be prepared not to receive an answer immediately. Council may request further information or need more time to deliberate.
• Clearly indicate the date and time you require support.
• Ask about next steps.
• Once a decision has been made, you will be contacted by the City.

Public Question Period

Public Question Period provides the public access to council to obtain information regarding the business of the City of Cold Lake. Members of the public who ask a question are requested to provide their name and address so that they can be recorded in the meeting minutes along with the question posed to council.

• Public question period is held at all Regular Council Meetings (second and fourth Tuesday of each month).
• Council allows for up to 20 minutes, if required, for the entire question period.
• The public question period begins shortly after the adoption of the minutes; usually just after 6:00 pm.

How to make the most of Public Question Period:

• Speakers are required to ask a question, not to make a speech or statement.
• Speakers will be ruled "out of order" if asking about a matter currently before the courts.
• Speakers may not ask about a bylaw from a closed public hearing.
• Speakers may not seek secretive or personal information.
• Council reserves the right to defer any or all questions to the City's administration in order to obtain the information required to provide a complete and accurate response.