How To Advocate At City Council
Old Town neighbors and friends, have you ever thought about getting involved in advocacy?
Did you know that the most powerful way to speak up about the things that matter to you, is to simply speak up about the things that matter to you? We (the folks running this website and social platform) have spoken and written many times to our local leaders. It’s not hard to do, and it CAN make a difference!
So, how’s it work? You have the option to deliver your comments in person, online via Zoom, or in writing, by submitting them online through the City’s website, or emailing City Council directly.
1) Register for Public Comment
First, visit the City Council website to look up the schedule for upcoming Council sessions:
https://beavertonoregon.gov/agendas-minutes-0
At the time of publishing, the next City Council Session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6pm.
You can click on the scheduled date to read the agenda and see written submissions that have been received and posted, from community members.
To have your voice heard, you will need to register for comment here:
https://beavertonoregon-city.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/40886
The online form limits written comments to 20,000 characters. If you plan on submitting written comment, it’s simpler to email the city at:
cityrecorder@beavertonoregon.gov
2) Figure Out What You Want To Say
Regardless of what you wish to present, keep your comments brief, focused, and factual.
You will want to write them out, as it’s easy to lose your train of thought when presenting unscripted before a microphone.
Then, re-read what you have written, and remove anything that takes away from the point of your statement.
Read it aloud and time yourself. Try speaking it at a normal pace. Try to keep it to two (2) minutes. While some Council sessions may grant you a total of three minutes to present, you don’t want to risk going too long.
3) In-Person Public Comment
If you want to speak before City Council, the official term for this is Public Comment. It happens during a standard council session, typically on a given Tuesday at City Hall chambers, starting at 6pm.
In the past, you could show up before 6pm and put your name on a list. With the City’s new pre-registration form, it’s safest to sign up in advance: Again, the link to sign up is here:
https://beavertonoregon-city.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/40886
Depending on the agenda for the evening, when it is your turn to speak, you will be given either two (2) or three (3) minutes to present verbal comment before the Council. Remember that a packed agenda may only allow you two minutes. So keep your comments to two minutes.
When it’s your turn, your name will be called, and you will be summoned to sit before Council at a table with a microphone. The light on the mic will turn green, and a video monitor will begin counting the time. As the time draws down, the screen will go from green to yellow, and finally to red when you have reached the time limit.
4) Provide Public Comment via Zoom
If you can’t make it in person to City Council, you can still speak by joining in via Zoom.
Instructions for how to sign up for Public Comment by Zoom can be found here:
https://beavertonoregon.gov/agendas-minutes-0
If you have registered to submit Public Comment, you will have the opportunity to join the Zoom webinar, and you will need to follow prompts to confirm your identity and secure your space in line to submit Public Comment. When it is your turn, the clock will start on the video, and your Zoom mic will be unmuted.
5) Submit Written Comments
If you can’t speak in person or by Zoom, you always have the option to submit your written statement.
You can submit your comments online, via the City’s registration page:
https://beavertonoregon-city.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/40886
Or, you can email City Council at:
cityrecorder@beavertonoregon.gov
Summary
Public Comment isn’t the same as “testifying”, as you won’t be under oath. Regardless, keep your statement factual.
We have watched property developers, members of the community, and even City employees deliver bold-faced lies before City Council. There’s no legal recourse as those individuals were not under oath.
Regardless, we urge you to keep your statements factual, truthful, and written from a point of authenticity.
Once, when I sat before City Council, a councilor said they receive lots of written statements, but “Nothing compares to a person sitting in front of us and making the effort so that we can hear from them directly.”
If you’re feeling nervous about any of this, remember that it’s okay to be uncomfortable. It takes a lot of courage to go before elected leaders! Public Comment is your opportunity to speak from the heart about something that’s really important to you. No one can silence you or take away your voice.
City Council has an obligation to hear from you and every member of the community. By presenting your concerns, you are exercising your constitutional rights, and providing our community an act of service.
Are you ready to have your voice heard?
– David Anderson, Co-Owner, Syndicate Wine Bar
