About City Council Meetings

Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast Channel 23, Verizon Channel 38, and on the City’s website (LIVE and On-demand).

Are City Council meetings open to the public?
All regularly scheduled Council meetings are open to the public and the media. All action taken by the City Council is taken at public meetings. The City Council is authorized to hold closed meetings whenever necessary to discuss matters not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

How do I speak at a meeting?
The Residents' Time portion of the agenda is set aside for those who wish to address the Council and is limited to three minutes per speaker.  In order to accommodate all who wish to address Council, speakers must sign up in advance.  To sign up to speak, contact the City Clerk’s office.  Requests must be received by 4 p.m. on the date of the meeting.

Citizens who wish to speak for longer than three minutes must contact the City Manager and ask for a place on the agenda at least four working days before the meeting. For example, for a Monday meeting, the City Manager must receive the request before 9:00 a.m. on the Wednesday before the meeting. (Sec. 2-55)

At Public Hearings, citizens may speak about the specific matter on the agenda. Citizens are encouraged to keep their comments to three minutes.

Accommodations
If you need assistance with language translation or accommodations and do not have someone who can interpret for you, contact the City Clerk at least 5 days in advance.  Depending on the availability of a translator, we will let you know which meeting will accommodate you.

Where can I view the Agenda Packet? 
The Agenda Packet is prepared and distributed by the City Clerk’s Office. The Packet is posted online by 3 p.m. the Friday prior to the regular meeting or Public Hearings. A copy of the Agenda Packet is also available in the lobby at City Hall outside of Council Chambers. For additional information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 703-257-8211.

General Terms & Definitions
Agenda – A printed list of legislative issues the City Council considers at its meeting.

Resolution – A resolution is a method of expressing the opinion or policy of the City Council about matters of administration. Resolutions are less formal than ordinances.

Ordinance – An ordinance becomes the local law of the City of Manassas if adopted by the City Council. If the ordinance deals with matters of a general and permanent nature, it is included in the Manassas City Code. If the ordinance deals with matters of a special nature, it is an uncodified ordinance.

Motion – A motion is the verbal means of a Council Member taking action on an issue. A motion must be seconded, voted upon, and approved by a majority of the Council to accomplish the action desired.

Quorum – Three members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. However, no ordinance shall be passed or resolution adopted having for its object the appropriation of money exceeding the sum of five hundred dollars, or the levy of taxes and licenses, except by the concurrence of at least four members. (Charter, Chapter III, Sec. 13)