In Cary, we believe an involved citizenry is the hallmark of a strong community and an effective government, as is shown on the Town’s organizational chart depicting citizens at the top. Cary’s Town Council and staff provide many opportunities for citizens to get involved in our local government, including the opportunity to participate in Public Speaks Out. During Public Speaks Out, participants are allowed to speak on any town-related topic, except those public hearings listed on the agenda. Each Public Speaks Out participants are allowed three minutes for their comments.

Provide Comments during Public Speaks Out

Comments can be submitted or provided through the following methods. All comments are subject to public records law and are not confidential.

Written Comments

Comments received before noon on the meeting date in the following ways will be provided to the council before the public hearing and in a printed copy at the meeting. Please note staff may summarize any received comments during Public Speaks Out.

• Website submission: 311 Portal, please select “Comments for Council Meeting”
• Email: virtualtownhall@townofcary.org
• Mail comments to Town Clerk’s Office, Attn: Virginia Johnson, P.O. Box 8005, Cary, NC 27512-8005

Comments received after noon on the meeting date will be passed along to the council as regular correspondence.

Verbal Comments

If you would like to make comments during the Public Speaks Out, you may sign up to speak during the public hearing by calling 919-469-4000 before noon on the meeting date. Please let staff know if you plan to call in or attend the meeting to give your comments in person.

For call-in speakers: Prior to 5 p.m. on the meeting date, staff will contact you at the number you provided with instructions on how to participate in the public hearing that you must be able to follow in order to participate. You may also send in your comments in advance as described above in the event you are unable to participate in the public hearing for any reason, such as a change in your schedule or problems with technology.

Helpful Information about Attending In-Person

When you arrive in the Cary Town Hall Council Chambers (316 N. Academy St.), look for the seating area reserved for speakers. Underneath these reserved seats you’ll find a contact card and a pen.

The mayor and the chair of the appointed boards serve as the group’s presiding officer. For all public hearings, the presiding officer will call on a staff member to present details about the case, and then allow the applicant, if applicable, to present the case. The presiding officer will then open the public hearing. The clerk will summarize the written comments first, then call on remote speakers, and then call on individuals who want to speak to come to the podium one at a time. You’ll speak from the podium closest to the clerk.

• If you have handouts to share, please bring 11 copies, and give the copies to the clerk as you approach the podium. Do not approach Council with the handouts; the clerk will distribute the copies for you.
• Adjust the microphone on the podium as necessary to ensure it’s at the appropriately height for you.
• Speak into the microphone by first stating your name.
• Be concise with your remarks; it may help to write your comments before the meeting to ensure you capture your important points.
• Avoid repetition; if other speakers before you have already made a certain point, then please don’t repeat those comments.
• Designate a spokesperson for groups; this is the most effective way to relay the points of groups to avoid repetition. The spokesperson may recognize the group by asking them to stand.
• Limit comments to three minutes or less. If attending in person, you will see a timer on the podium. You’ll see a green light the first 2 minutes and 30 second, a yellow light the last 30 seconds, and a flashing red light when your time has expired. The presiding officer will politely interrupt you to remind you that your time has expired and will call the next speaker to the podium.
• Avoid using physical props during your remarks.
• Direct comments to the full Town Council and not to an individual Councilmember.
• This is your opportunity to make your comments. The group conducting the hearing will listen and take your comments into consideration; they do not engage in two-way dialog during the hearing. Thanks for helping us ensure a successful business meeting and a productive public hearing. In doing so, please refrain from applauding and speaking from the audience.
• The Town of Cary is committed to providing everyone the opportunity to fully participate in the public meeting process. Please contact the town clerk at least 48 hours before the meeting if you need an auxiliary aid or other accommodation in order to participate in a public hearing. The email is virginia.johnson@carync.gov; the phone number is (919) 460-4941; the TDD number is (919) 469-4012.
• If you did not sign up prior to the meeting, please complete this card before speaking; information on this card is a public record and will be shared with others if requested as required by North Carolina law. The main purpose of providing this information is to make sure we spell your name correctly in the minutes (the written record of the meeting) and give us a way to follow up with you if necessary.