Public Meeting Information
City Council Meetings
All City Council meetings are open to the public, however, certain matters, including property acquisitions, pending or anticipated litigation, and personnel issues may be discussed in Closed Session. State law allows such items to be discussed privately. No other business may be discussed in Closed Session, and all Closed Session items must be properly noticed and listed on the City Council Agenda for each meeting in accordance with applicable law.
Regular City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, excluding City holidays.
Closed Session typically begins at 5:00 p.m., followed by Open Session at 7:00 p.m. The date and time of each meeting are subject to change as permitted by law and will be specified in the posted agenda.
City Council meetings are generally held at the Bell Community Center, located at 6250 Pine Avenue, Bell CA 90201. The City Council may also convene workshops, special meetings, or other public meetings at alternate locations, as appropriate. The official meeting location and address for each meeting will be identified in the posted agenda.
For additional information regarding City Council meeting venues, please refer to the List-of-Meeting-Locations.pdf(PDF, 141KB)
City Council Meeting Calendar available >>HERE<<(PDF, 38KB)
Public Participation
Each City Council meeting agenda includes a Public Comment period, providing members of the public with an opportunity to address the City Council on items listed on the agenda, as well as non-agenda matters that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council and/or its related authorities and agencies.
Addressing the City Council In-Person
Individuals wishing to speak on any item, whether listed or not listed on the agenda, should complete a Request to Speak Card and submit it to the City Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Speakers will be called in the order in which Request to Speak Cards are received.
When recognized by the Mayor, speakers should approach the podium, state their name for the record, and address the City Council. Each speaker is allotted up to three (3) minutes and may speak once during the Public Comment portion of the agenda.
The initial Public Comment period is limited to 30 minutes. Any speaker cards remaining following the close of the initial 30-minute public comment period will be given an opportunity to speak at the end of the City Council meeting.
Addressing the City Council Remotely
The City provides remote participation through the Zoom audio communication platform. Members of the public may observe the meeting and provide public comment by either:
To provide public comment on Closed Session items, participants must call no later than 5:00 p.m. To provide public comment on Regular Session items, participants must call no later than 7:00 p.m.
During the Public Comment period, participants joining by Zoom should use the "Raise Hand" feature to request to speak. Participants joining by telephone should press *9 to raise their hand. When the Mayor announces your name or phone number, you will be prompted to speak. At that time, please unmute your microphone or telephone line, state your name for the record, and proceed with your comments.
Members of the public attending the meeting in person will be invited to speak first, followed by remote participants. Remote speakers will be recognized in the order their calls are received.
Each remote speaker is allotted up to three (3) minutes to address the City Council.
Public Hearings
A public hearing is a formally noticed meeting or portion of a meeting where members of the public are given an opportunity to provide testimony, comments, or input on a specific matter before the City Council takes action or makes a decision.
Public Hearings are noticed in the Press Telegram newspaper, at City Hall and Community Center bulletin boards, and on the City’s website, generally at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Prior to opening the Public Hearing for public testimony, City staff will provide a report and respond to questions from the City Council. Upon opening the public hearing, the Mayor will invite members of the public to provide testimony regarding the item. After public testimony has been received, the Mayor will close the public hearing. Once the public hearing is closed, no additional public comments will be accepted on the item.
Any supporting materials or documents to be presented to the City Council should be given to the City Clerk before addressing the City Council. Such materials and documents submitted during a Public Hearing will become part of the public record and may not be returned.
Tips for Public Participation at City Council Meetings
Members of the public attending City Council meetings are required to observe the same rules of order and decorum applicable to the City Council. Address your remarks and questions to the City Council and not to the public or City staff members.
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Any person whose conduct or remarks disrupt the orderly conduct of a meeting may be removed by the sergeant-at-arms at the direction of the Presiding Officer. Disruptive conduct includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized remarks from the audience, interruptions, yelling, obscene or offensive gestures, threats, excessive repetition, speaking beyond allotted time limits, or other actions that impede the proceedings. A public warning should generally be issued prior to removal, unless circumstances warrant immediate action.
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Conduct yourself in a professional, courteous manner and refrain from applauding, shouting, or talking while speakers are addressing the City Council.
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Signs, banners, or other similar items shall not be permitted in the audience during a Public Meeting if the presence of such item disturbs, disrupts or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the meeting.
City Council Meeting Information, Livestreaming & Broadcasts
City Council meeting agendas are posted in accordance with the requirements of the Brown Act, at least 72 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hours before a special meeting.
Agendas & Staff Reports are generally available on the City’s website on the Friday preceding a regular City Council meeting.
Regular and Special City Council meetings are livestreamed on the City’s Website and remain available for viewing following the meeting.
Closed Session meetings of the City Council are not broadcasted or streamed online.
For more information regarding City Council meetings, please contact the City Clerk at (323) 923-2615.