Attending a Town Council Meeting: What to Expect

We’re glad you’re here! Town Council meetings are open to the public, and this guide explains how to attend, participate, and understand what happens.

1. Getting Here

• Parking: Free parking is available in Town Hall lots and at the Stephens Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. lot.
• Other parking: See Park on the Hill for public lots on Rosemary Street.
• Transit: Town Hall is served by Chapel Hill Transit’s NS and T routes, as well as GoTriangle routes. 
• Entrance: Use the ground floor entrance.

2. Watching the Meeting

• Attend in person in the Council Chamber.
• Watch online: Live stream the meeting.
• Cable Channel 18 is temporarily offline while equipment is being replaced.
• You may sit anywhere. Staff usually sit in the front rows.

3. Speaking at the Meeting

• Sign up: Add your name to the Clerk’s sign-up sheet starting 30 minutes before the meeting.
• When called: The Mayor will invite you to the podium. Please state your name for the record.
• Time limit:
  • 3 minutes per speaker.
  • 2 minutes per speaker if more than 14 people sign up for the same item.
• Groups: Large groups are encouraged to select one spokesperson.
• Rules: Use the podium microphone; signs are not permitted.

👉 Note: Work Sessions are held monthly at 6 p.m. These are open to the public but have no public comment and are not streamed live.

4. What’s on the Agenda?

Here’s the typical order of business:

• Opening – The Mayor starts the meeting and may include proclamations or ceremonial subjects.
• Announcements – The Mayor and Council share news about upcoming events and opportunities.
• Public Comments and Petitions – Anyone may speak about issues not on the agenda. Council usually does not act on these the same night.
• Consent Agenda – Council votes on routine or administrative items as a group, without discussion.
• Discussion Items – Staff present items for Council to discuss and consider. Public comment is allowed on these items. Council may vote after discussion.
• Appointments – At some meetings, Council appoints community members to boards and commissions.
• Closed Session – At some meetings, Council may end in a closed session. The public leaves while Council discusses confidential legal or personnel matters.

5. Who’s in the Room

• Council Members sit at the dais, with the mayor in the center.
• To the right: Town Attorney (provides legal advice) and Town Manager (carries out Council decisions).
• To the left: Town Clerk (records the meeting and manages sign-ups).
• Other Town staff, consultants, and community members may also be present.

6. Our Values

We ask everyone in the room to follow the Town’s RESPECT values:

Responsibility • Equity • Safety • Professionalism • Ethics • Communication • Teamwork

7. Language Access

If you speak a language other than English, interpretation and language assistance are available.