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The Mayor presides at the City Council meetings. In the Mayor's absence, the Council President presides (Charter Chapter III, Section 10).
The voters of the City of Hillsboro elect the Mayor and six City Council members. The City is divided into three wards. The term of office for the Mayor and City Council is four years. Two Council members must reside in each of the wards, but they are elected by the voters of the entire City. This is called elected at large (Charter Chapters III and VII).
The Hillsboro City Council meetings are convened in the Hillsboro Civic Center Auditorium on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM. All City Council meetings are open to the public, except for items allowed to be discussed in executive session. All meetings have the same agenda format, and follow Robert's Rules of Order for public meetings. The preliminary agenda for the City Council is prepared the week before the City Council meeting and posted on the City web page. Meetings are broadcast live through Tualatin Valley Community Television. Many past meetings can be viewed as streaming video at http://www.tvctv.org/index.php/hillsboro.
The City Recorder prepares the Council agenda under the direction of the Mayor and City Manager. All of the information about the items on the agenda, including staff reports and copies of resolutions, ordinances and orders, are distributed to the Council members on the Thursday the week before the meeting. This ensures time for the Council to thoroughly review the information and call staff with any questions prior to the actual meeting.
A copy of the agenda is posted on the bulletin board located on the first floor of the Civic Center. The agenda and the entire Council packet, including staff reports, is also posted on the City's web page. All of the material provided to the City Council is available to the public in a notebook at the meeting. Ordinances are not read in full at the City Council meeting unless requested by a member of the Council. The Mayor does not vote on any question except in the case of a tie. The Mayor may not vote on the final passage of an ordinance (Charter Chapter III).
Minutes are prepared following the City Council meeting and posted on the City's web page.
Items placed on the Consent Agenda are generally recommendations of the Transportation Committee and Finance Committee. The Consent Agenda is approved with one motion. If a Councilor would like to discuss a specific item, it is removed from the Consent Agenda and may be considered separately under the New Business section on the agenda.
The general public may address the City Council on any item not on the agenda under "Communications and Non-Agenda Items". To prepare to address the Council, please review the Public Comment Guidelines. You are not required to give your address when speaking to the City Council, only your name. Public participation is encouraged.
If you have additional questions or comments, please call the City Recorder's office at (503) 681-6219.
City of Hillsboro
150 East Main Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Phone: (503) 681-6219
Fax: (503) 681-6232 |
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