The Petaluma City Council consists of six Council Members and the Mayor. The Council Members are elected at large for a four-year term. Three Council Members are elected at the November General Municipal election in even-numbered years. This means that at least three Council Members are up for election every two years. The Mayor is directly elected to a four-year term during the General Municipal election in November.

Council and Mayoral elections are non-partisan and members are elected as at-large representatives for all of the citizens. Regular City Council Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, with some exceptions made for holidays that fall on a regular meeting day, etc. Meetings usually include a 6:00 p.m. Closed Session and a 7:00 p.m. Open Session. Special Meetings are also called on an as-needed basis. All City Council meetings are open to the public with the exception of discussions which pertain to property acquisition, legal, or personnel issues. State law allows these to be handled privately under Closed Session and no other issues may be discussed in Closed Sessions. City Council agendas indicate whether or not there will be a closed session.

Persons wishing to speak regarding items not on the agenda may do so during General Public Comment at the beginning of each Open Session. Each speaker must complete a Speaker Card, a supply of which is available at the rear of the Council Chambers, and submit it to the City Clerk.

The Mayor will call on individuals whose names appear on the Speaker Cards. Depending on the number of persons wishing to address the Council, time will be allocated in equal shares totaling no more than 15 minutes. If more than three persons wish to address Council on the same topic, they are encouraged to select a spokesperson.

Speakers wishing to make audio/video presentations using equipment in the Council Chambers for that purpose should see the Making Presentations During Public Comment page.

Persons wishing to speak regarding agendized items may do so at the beginning of that item. Each speaker must complete a Speaker Card, a supply of which is available at the rear of the Council Chambers, and submit it to the City Clerk.

Each speaker will be allowed 3 minutes. The primary spokesperson for a group supporting/opposing an agenda item will be limited to 10 minutes. Up to two members of the public may cede their time to a third individual, such that a member of the public may have 9 minutes to speak.

Speakers wishing to make audio/video presentations using equipment in the Council Chambers for that purpose should see the Making Presentations During Public Comment page.

The City Council will hear public comments only on matters over which they have jurisdiction. Council can take no action on these items; however, the Council may refer questions to City Management for review. The Council requests that you focus your comments to the issues only.

No personal attacks or comments on any individual’s integrity will be tolerated. Your assistance in helping to create open and civil public discussion and your participation in community issues is appreciated. If you wish to distribute materials to Council, please submit ten copies to the City Clerk.