City Council Frequently Asked Questions

• Besides attending a City Council meeting, are there other ways for citizens to watch the meetings?

Yes. Tualatin City Council meetings are televised on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m. on Tualatin Valley Community Television Channel 28. The Council meetings are rebroadcast on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 a.m., and Sundays at 8:00 p.m.

The Tualatin City Council meetings are also "live-streamed" on this website the day of the meeting.

• Does the Public Meetings Law require that notice be given for a "Special" meeting?

  Special meetings require at least 24 hours' notice. ORS 192.640(3)

• Does the Public Meetings Law require that notice be given for a Regular meeting?

  The notice for a regular meeting must be reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the time and place for the meeting "to interested persons including news media that have requested notice."ORS 192.640(1)

• How can I voice my concerns at a City Council meeting?

  As part of the Council's agenda, there is an "Citizen Comment" input period on issues not on the agenda, or that are on the agenda, but not scheduled for public hearing. The public is invited to address the Council with concerns or comments at this time.

• May a member of the public video tape City Council meetings?

  Yes, the public may also tape record a Council meeting.

• Must an "Executive Session" of the City Council be open to the public?

  No. An Executive Session is that portion of a meeting from which the public is excluded. The Public Meetings Law now provides that representatives of the news media shall be allowed to attend all executive sessions except those involving deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations.

• What are the requirements for noticing a meeting?

  The Public Meetings Law requires that public notice be given of the time and place of meetings. The Public Meetings Law requires that the notice of any meeting include a list of the principal subjects anticipated to be considered at the meeting. The notice for a regular meeting must be reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the time and place for the meeting to "interested persons including news media that have requested notice.

• What does the Public Meetings Law basically require?

  ORS 192.620 establishes Oregon’s policy of open decision making by governing bodies: The Oregon form of government requires an informed public aware of the deliberations and decisions of governing bodies and the information upon which such decisions were made. It is the intent of ORS 192.610 to 192.690 that decisions of governing bodies be arrived at openly. The provisions are intended to ensure that the meetings of governing bodies at which decisions about the public’s business are made or discussed are open to the public, that the public has notice of the time and place of meetings, and that the meetings are accessible to persons wishing to attend.

• What is a "quorum" as it relates to City Council meetings?

  Generally a quorum is defined as a majority of the Councilors. A quorum is required for the transaction of City business.

• What is a Resolution?

  A Resolution is more temporary in nature than ordinances and is a less formal way Council can take action. A resolution can be an expression of Council consensus concerning temporary matters; a statement of policy; or a way of granting special privileges. Resolutions typically take effect immediately upon adoption and are always used to repeal or amend a prior resolution.

• What is an Ordinance?

  An Ordinance is legislative acts or local law prescribing permanent rules of conduct of government. They are the permanent and binding form of Council action and may be changed or amended only by a subsequent ordinance. Ordinances take effect 30 days after its enactment; however, an ordinance may provide a later time for it to take effect, and in the case of an emergency, it may take effect immediately.

• What is considered a meeting under the Public Meetings Law?

  The Public Meetings Law defines a meeting as the convening of any of the governing bodies for which a quorum is required in order to make a decision or to deliberate toward a decision on any matter. ORS 192.610 (5)

• What is Executive Session?

  Executive Session is a portion of the Council meeting that is closed to certain persons for deliberation on certain matters. No decisions are made in Executive Session. The governing body may reach a consensus in executive session; however, the governing body must return to the public session before taking final action.

• What is the Consent Agenda?

  The Consent Agenda lists routine non-controversial items and is passed without discussion or debate with a single motion and vote. A council member may request removal of any Consent Agenda item for separate consideration and discussion. The remainder of the Consent Agenda is voted on, omitting the challenged item.

• When and where are the City Council meetings?

  Council meetings are normally the second and fourth Monday of each month, beginning at 7:00 pm. Special meetings may be held as required. Council meetings are preceded by a work session that typically begins at 5:00 pm. Work sessions are used to review the agenda and give Council an opportunity to ask questions of staff, to update calendar items, or meet with community leaders. Both the Work Sessions and Council Meetings take place at the Tualatin City Services, 10699 SW Herman Road, Tualatin, OR 97062

• When is a committee of the City Council subject to the Public Meetings Law?

  The Public Meetings Law applies to meetings of the governing body of a public body. A public body is defined as the state, any regional council, county, city or district, or any municipal or public corporation. A public body is also a board, department, commission, council, bureau, committee, subcommittee or advisory group of any governing body. If two or more members of any public body has the authority to make decisions for or recommendations to a public body on policy or administration, they are a governing body and subject to the public meetings law.