Lone Tree Police Department and Municipal Court are moving to new Justice Center effective September 14, 2026. Click to learn more.

Lone Tree Police Department and Municipal Court are moving to new Justice Center effective September 14, 2026. Click to learn more.

Lone Tree Police Department and Municipal Court are moving to new Justice Center effective September 14, 2026. Click to learn more.

Lone Tree Police Department and Municipal Court are moving to new Justice Center effective September 14, 2026. Click to learn more.

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Home > Mayor and City Council > Public Comment Policy

Public Comment Policy

Public Comment Policy for City Council Meetings

This policy is intended to establish Rules of Procedures for public comment at Lone Tree City Council meetings. It is the goal of this policy to encourage order and efficiency at City Council meetings so the City’s governing body can accomplish its business in a reasonably efficient manner while giving all members of the public the opportunity to be heard. 

For Regular Meetings 

Public comment related to regular meeting agenda items that are not the subject of public hearings should be submitted with sufficient time before the regular meeting to allow the Mayor and City Council members an opportunity to review.

For Public Hearings 

Public comment related to a public hearing item may be submitted by email as an alternative to speaking in person, and such comment will be made a part of the record. Emailed comments must be received by 12:00 noon on the calendar day before the public hearing.
Comments submitted in writing:  
Any written public comment that is submitted via email to cityclerksoffice@cityoflonetree.com will be distributed to the Mayor and City Council members prior to the next regular meeting. 

Comments presented in person during the regular City Council meeting:

Adopted Policy With Signatures
Comments from the public are welcome at two different occasions during the regular meeting: during the scheduled public comment portion of the agenda or during a scheduled public hearing. 
 
  1. Any person wishing to address the City Council during the public comment portion of a regular meeting must sign up on the sign-in sheet before the meeting begins. 
  2. Depending on the business at hand, the scheduled public comment portion of the agenda will be held to an overall time limit of thirty (30) minutes. Speakers have a time limit of three (3) minutes per person, or five (5) minutes per group, and may only speak once. When that time expires, the speaker may be permitted to complete a sentence but should make no further remarks. No person or group may cede their time to another person or group. 
  3. If more than ten (10) speakers sign up for public comment, then the time limit will be reduced to two (2) minutes per person and four (4) minutes per group to allow the opportunity for more people to speak. 
  4. At the discretion of the Mayor, public comment may be closed and reopened later or date to be announced. 
  5. Individuals may comment regarding items on the Council agenda or about any other topic related to City issues they wish to address to the City Council. Comments specific to agenda items scheduled for public hearings should be reserved and delivered during the public hearing to protect the quasi-judicial process and ensure compliance with due process. Commenters who are called upon by the Mayor to speak are the only persons allowed to speak during the allotted time. 
  6. Commenters are required to speak from the podium while making public comment. Al comments should be addressed directly to the Council and not to the audience. City Council members and the Mayor typically do not respond during public comment. 
 

Handouts and Documents  

Any handouts or documents that commenters want to distribute to City Council members should be given to the City Clerk. Commenters are not allowed to approach the Council dais. 

Civility  

Courtesy, civility, and respect for others is expected. Comments or other interruptions from the audience during public comment are not permitted. Cheering, snapping, clapping and other disruptions are not allowed during or upon completion of any public comment. When a violation of these Rules of Procedures causes an actual disruption of City Council business, the Mayor will ask the individual in violation of the Rules to cease the disrupting activity, or to leave the Council Chambers. Failure to comply could result in a police officer escort and/or violation charges.   

Signs, Banners, Video, and Visuals  

Signs, banners, video and other visual or auditory props are not allowed in the City Council chambers. Staff will request that materials remain outside the room or persons carrying them may be asked to leave. 

Commenters are not permitted to play video or audio recordings in place of verbal comments during public comment.