Appearing Before City Council

The City of Seabrook encourages citizens to participate in their local government by attending City Council meetings held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The purpose of these meetings is to conduct city business, and there is a designated time for Public Comment near the beginning of each meeting. Additional opportunities for public comment may be available if an agenda item requires a public hearing by law.

City Ordinance Section 2-52. - Citizen Participation at Meetings.

Public Comment Guidelines

Decorum & Etiquette

• All comments are limited to a maximum of 4 minutes per speaker.
• Members of the governing body may not discuss or take action on any item that has not been posted on the agenda.
• No personal or slanderous attacks may be made.
• No member of the audience, including acknowledged or approved individuals, may offer unsolicited input or engage in question-and-answer sessions with members of the governing body.
• When the speaker's name is called, the speaker must state their name and address clearly into the microphone before making comments.
• No profanities.
• No signs, posters, or placards.
• Comments shall be limited to City business, City-related business, or matters of the general public interest.
• If any person becomes unruly, they may be removed from the Council Chambers by an officer and barred from attending the remainder of the meeting.

Signing Up to Speak

• Citizens wishing to speak must sign up to do so before the start of the meeting in one of the following ways:
  • Complete the online Register for Public Comment Form at the bottom of this page.
  • Sign in using the sign-in sheet on the table by the entrance to the council chambers, next to the agendas.
  • Email the City Secretary before the start of the meeting.
• If you do not sign up before the meeting begins, you may not have an opportunity to speak.

Providing Written Comments/Documents to City Council

• Submit written comments or documents by emailing the City Secretary at least 2 business days before the meeting.
• If bringing hard copies, provide 10 copies to the City Secretary before the meeting starts.
• Council Members cannot accept documents directly; the City Secretary will distribute them.
• Anonymous or unsigned comments will not be considered.

Digital Presentations

• If you wish to present digital media, submit the files by email to the City Secretary by noon on the day of the meeting.
  • No USB drives or other external media devices will be accepted.
• No digital materials will be accepted after noon on the day of the meeting.

When to Speak

• If speaking on an agenda item in the Public Hearing section, wait until the item is addressed and the Mayor recognizes you.
• For items not in the Public Hearing section or not on the agenda, speak during the Public Comment section at the beginning of the meeting.
• Speak only when recognized by the City of Seabrook Mayor.
• Your 4-minute time limit begins when the Mayor calls your name, and you state your name and address at the podium.