Public hearings

If you want to provide testimony during public hearings you may:

• Email written comments to the staff contact, listed in the agenda or public notice, including your name and subject of the public hearing, before noon on the day of the meeting.
• Testify virtually during the public hearing by emailing the staff contact, listed in the agenda or public notice, before noon on the day of the meeting, with your name; phone number; and if you are speaking for, against, or neutral on the project/subject. The mayor will call upon those who have registered to speak.
• Appear in person at the meeting and register to speak using the signup sheet on the table.

Business from the public

If you want to provide comments during business from the public you may:

• Submit written comments and/or register to speak virtually before noon on the day of the meeting using the Business from the public button on the Meeting Materials page.
• Appear in person at the meeting and register to speak.
• Documents discussed at the meeting that are not in the agenda packet are archived in the record. Documents from staff are posted to the website after the meeting. Documents submitted by the public are available by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Code of Conduct for virtual testimony:

• Microphones should be muted and webcams should be turned off when joining. You will be admitted when it is your turn to speak.
• If a virtual participant disrupts the meeting, their microphone and webcam will be turned off.
• If disruption continues, the participant will be removed from the meeting.

Questions:

• For questions on City Council business, contact your City Councilors.
• For questions regarding speaking at Council meetings or copies of minutes prior to 2003, contact the City Clerk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• The summary documents on the Meeting Materials page provide Resolution and Ordinance numbers that were passed by the City Council.

Respect

Council members agree to use respectful speech and positive body language when interacting with each other, staff, and the public, and will follow meeting procedures/protocols as established by the council.

Civility

Council members agree to demonstrate civility in their professional interactions, both within and outside of the City organization. Comments during meetings will remain thoughtful and measured, avoiding exaggerated, provocative, or personal remarks.

Compromise

Open-mindedness and active listening will be practiced by council members during deliberations in an effort to pursue compromise whenever possible.

Tolerance

Council members will endeavor to respectfully ‘agree to disagree’ in the event compromise is not possible.

Brevity

Council members will ensure their comments during meetings are succinct and relevant to the topic at hand.

Public unity

Out of respect for the institution and the process through which policy is made, council members will refrain from publicly denigrating council decisions once they are made.

Mayor’s role

Council members recognize that the mayor’s position requires balancing the important roles of facilitating meetings and contributing policy perspectives.

Liaison role

Council members serving as City liaisons to external boards, commissions, committees, and organizations will be responsible for sharing important news and pertinent developments with the council at regular meetings.

Communications with staff

Council members will keep the city manager informed of communications they may have with staff, including copying the city manager on any emails to staff.

Are you a 4-12 grade student living within the Albany city limits?
Mayor Alex Johnson II invites you to submit an entry to our third annual "If I Were Mayor..." contest!

Local contest winners are eligible for prizes and will go on to participate in the statewide contest presented by the Oregon Mayors Association (OMA). In the past, statewide winners have received up to $500 cash!

Submit your entry:

1. Review the contest rules: English | Spanish
2. Learn more about what a Mayor does...English | Spanish
3. Learn what typical services Oregon cities provide... English | Spanish
4. Get inspiration from winning entries from previous years at oregonmayors.org
5. Create your submission
   • 4-5th grades: Poster
   • 6-8th grades: Essay
   • 9-12th grades: Video
6. Download and complete an official entry form: English | Spanish
7. Upload your completed entry form and entry by March 1, 2024:

Submit your entry

Judging:

Judging of the local contest will be conducted by city officials or other persons appointed by the mayor. Local winners who qualify for the statewide contest will receive prizes that may include lunch with the Mayor and cash or other prizes from local organizations/businesses. Local winners will be announced no later than April 5, 2024.

A panel of Oregon mayors will judge the statewide entries. First-place statewide winners and their parent(s) are recognized at an awards luncheon during the OMA Summer Conference, July 20, 2024, in Klamath Falls. In the past, cash prizes for winners of the statewide competition have included $500.00 for first-place, $300.00 for second-place, and $100.00 for third-place.

Past winners