Clicks That Matter

Public Channels Available and When to Use Them

NEW public facing project-based portal: Engage Lincoln City engagelincolncity.org

Here you can explore projects by department, ask questions, register to stay involved or receive updates, and follow the Engage Lincoln City Committee's work towards recommending a comprehensive citywide community engagement plan! 

Submit A Comment to Staff https://www.lincolncity.org/residents/contact-us
This is where you can submit feedback to city staff on existing city services. Let them know what is working well and what isn’t, or even just send a thank you to the dedicated folks that keep our city services running!

Make a Service Request https://www.lincolncity.org/residents/service-request-form  If you see something, say something! This is where you are able to report flooding, graffiti, sidewalk concerns, curbs that need to be refreshed, traffic signals malfunctioning, water concerns, debris in the right-of-way, icy roads, and more!

Code Enforcement Portal  https://lincolncityor.comcate.com/en
Currently, our complaint-based code enforcement essentially means we are all responsible for holding each other accountable to following city codes (signage, trash, vacation rentals, parking, etc). This portal allows you to submit a written complaint and add attachments (photos) if desired. Anonymous submissions are accepted but do not receive updates. 

Request a Record  https://www.lincolncity.org/departments/city-recorder/public-records-request
Check out: Open-Oregon.com Open Oregon Public Records Guide 2019
Oregon Public Records law is different from a FOIA request. In Lincoln City, public records requests can be emailed, mailed, faxed, or hand delivered. The City will have 5 business days to acknowledge your request, and an additional 10 business days to either provide the requested records, or provide a denial of some or all of your request. Denials from city government are appealed to the Lincoln County District Attorney. 

Tips for quick, efficient, low to no cost records requests:

1. Call the City Recorder first to discuss your inquiry and get advice on what records exist.
2. Keep it specific, broad requests take much more time to fill and will result in you receiving a quote ($) before your request is filled. 
3. Any request that takes less than 15 min is provided as a no-cost service. 
4. Be kind, be patient. Understand the timeline (up to 15 business days) and give staff the grace to fill your request within that timeframe. 

Public Comment

Engage Meaningfully with your Elected Officials

The Council acts primarily through three tools, Motions, Resolutions & Ordinances. 

Motion: a formal request, action, or direction voted on during a meeting
Examples: Directing staff to create a report, setting a meeting topic, requesting a budget change

Resolution: a formal statement of policy, position, intent, or recognition
Examples: supporting legislation, adopting a plan, honoring a community group

Ordinance: a binding law passed by Council; changes city code
Examples: zoning laws, business licensing, noise rules, tax/fee structures

How to Use Public Comment to Spark Change

Governments are best able to serve their communities when new ideas, initiatives and suggestions for change come from the PEOPLE. This is WHY we elect representatives. When we all understand the tools available to the Council (governing body), we are able to frame our feedback in a more meaningful way, and even state the action we want to see taken. There are currently three options for the public to make comments on the record to the full Council: in person at a meeting, via Zoom/telephone during a meeting, or email anytime. 

• Speak in Person at a Meeting
  • Sign up on the sheet as you enter the chambers, prior to the meeting being called to order.
  • You will be given either 3 or 5 minutes to speak (depending on how many others have signed up that evening). Plan for both.
  • You are able to submit any documents to the City Recorder to be distributed to the Council and added to the record. 
• Speak via Zoom or Telephone during a Meeting (remote option)
  • No later than noon on the meeting day email: publiccomment@lincolncity.org
  • Include your name, the subject you wish to address, and the phone number you intend to use for the meeting.
  • Instructions will be sent to the person requesting before the meeting. 
  • You will need to leave the microphone muted until called to speak.
• Email Public Comment (most private option - still public record)
  • Email publiccomment@lincolncity.org anytime!
  • Your full email, including any attachments will be forwarded to the full Council.
  • Your comments will be very briefly summarized into the record.
  • Any member of the public may request a copy of your emailed comments.

A Formula for Inviting Change

Everyone is welcome to utilize their time during their public comments in whatever way they like. However, if there is something specific you would like the Council to do based on your comment, here is a great formula to try:

Hi, my name is ____ . I am here today because ____ (give context, state the interest group you identify with if relevant). I ask the Council to consider ____ (share your idea). I believe this will ____ (anticipated impact, also a great idea to state any adopted goals or strategic priorities your idea is in alignment with). Please ____ tonight (name an action: motion, resolution, ordinance). Thank you for ____ . (as if they already took the action)

In practice this could hypothetically sound like:

“My name is Ana, and I live in an apartment with no outdoor space. Like many others, I want to help grow food for our community. I ask that Council direct staff to publish a map of all unused city-owned property, and to bring back options for making some of that land available for public garden beds. I also ask that Council consider allocating $50,000 to establish 5,000 garden beds and help supply soil and water access. I believe this would build food resilience, community connection, and local pride. Please make a motion tonight or schedule this for a work session. Thank you for taking this action to enhance community resilience, health and well-being.”

Keep in mind, Lincoln City Council cannot take actions that conflict with state or federal law, violate Oregon’s land use planning goals https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/op/pages/goals.aspx, 

impose new taxes without voter approval (for some types), or take over Charter-delegated duties of the City Manager (without cause or amendment). 

When the Council gives direction, it is passed to the City Manager for implementation. The Council, and the public may follow up on any previously given direction, but may not direct how the City Manager chooses to administer or implement actions by the Council. For this reason, it is important that Council direction be specific enough to achieve the desired impact, but flexible enough to allow staff to implement, considering existing resources and workload. 

The public has the right to speak. Council has the authority to act.

It takes both an informed community and a responsive body to ensure the decisions made by the government are in alignment with community sentiments, values & vision. 

Important Reminder: all public comments are exactly that - public. This means assume no privacy. You do not need to state your address when addressing the Council. 

You always may reach out to any or all members of the Council at any time, their individual contact information can be found here: https://www.lincolncity.org/government/city-council. These communications, while public records, are not considered public comment. 

Examples of actions YOU can ask for!

While this list is not by any means comprehensive, here are a few examples of actions you may suggest the Council take:

• Make a motion to:
  • Direct staff to publish a report or bring back options
  • Put a topic on a work session agenda
  • Reconsider a past decision
  • Allocate or reallocate funds (within budget law)
• Adopt a resolution to:
  • Declare a policy position (e.g., support affordable housing, climate resilience)
  • Formally request action from other governments or agencies
  • Recognize or honor a group or individual
  • Set citywide goals and intent
  • Support transparency or good governance commitments
• Propose or change an ordinance to:
  • Allow edible gardens on public land
  • Ban gas-powered leaf blowers
  • Establish community benefit agreements
  • Add renter protections
  • Regulate short-term rentals
  • Incentivize local hiring or procurement
• Request a proclamation from the Mayor to:
  • Recognize an awareness month or cultural holiday
  • Honor a local group or achievement
  • Celebrate a community event
• Ask Council to direct staff to:
  • Publish a map of all vacant or underused city-owned property
  • Bring back options for community land use (e.g., food gardens, art installations, pop-up markets)
  • Create a civic dashboard or open-data portal
  • Present legal analysis on potential ordinance changes
• Ask for specific funding (within legal and budgetary limits) such as:
  • Seed funding for civic gardens, mutual aid supplies, or pilot programs
  • Translation/interpretation access at public meetings
  • Youth council stipends or participatory budgeting

What ideas does this list inspire? 

If you could ask the Council to do just one thing, what would it be?