Dallas City Council meetings take place twice per month at City Hall.

Whether you have specific insight into a matter under consideration, or wish to comment on a general issue, Council Member Gay Donnell Willis is sharing tips to ensure your voice is heard by the Dallas City Council. In a recent message to residents of District 13, our representative gave detailed instructions for how to sign up, as well as a dedicated contact to help coordinate your attendance at a future council meeting. 

Via Gay Donnell Willis:

First, you have to know if you are speaking on an item being considered, or if you just want to give public comment on something on your mind. If you are speaking on an agenda item, you’ll be heard right before the item is considered. If you have public comments on something not on the agenda, the city council will generally hear the first five speakers who are signed up and present when called before starting the agenda meeting and hear the rest at the end of the meeting.

Second, you have to sign up to speak through the city secretary’s office no later than 5 p.m. the day before the meeting. This is strictly enforced. 

Third, you can sign up by email to secspeakerrequest@dallas.gov,  by filling out a form, or by calling (214) 670-3738. You can only speak once in a 30-day period about non-agenda items, but as frequently as you wish on agenda items. You will have a maximum of three minutes to speak on all items combined, and at the Mayor’s discretion, the time limit can be made shorter. 

Lastly, you can speak virtually or in-person. If you want to come to City Hall from District 13, Amanda Reyes can help give you directions and may be able to assist with parking: Amanda.Reyes@dallas.gov.  

Click here to read and download the full message. Click here to sign up for the D13 email newsletter, which includes details on upcoming council meetings and issues pertaining to our district.