Guidelines for Public Comments
The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board of Trustees welcomes visitors to its public meetings, and seeks to maintain a positive, productive atmosphere for participants and attendees. A public comment period will be offered during all regular FVRL Board of Trustees meetings in accordance with RCW 42.30.240.
To ensure that public comment periods are efficient and productive, the following guidelines have been established:
- FVRL’s Rules of Conduct apply to everyone on library premises and those attending the meeting virtually. Speakers are expected to be considerate of others, respect the rights and privacy of others, and not engage in loud, disruptive, destructive, or harassing speech.
- The Public Comment period may be of limited duration and timing at the discretion of the Board Chair.
- Generally, the Board will listen to public comments and take any suggestions or concerns under advisement. The decision to respond to comment is at the discretion and under the control of the Board Chair. It is not the intent of the Board to engage in debate or solve complex issues during a public comment period.
- Individuals may speak for a maximum of two minutes. Time will be kept for each speaker.
- Public comment at regular meetings is accepted on any topic of Library interest, not limited to items on the agenda.
- Individuals wishing to address the Board may sign-up for public comments prior to the start of the meeting (see additional guidelines below) unless otherwise called at the discretion of the Chair. Recorded comments, the identity of speakers, and meeting sign-in sheets are public records subject to disclosure under Chapter 42.56 RCW, and the names of speakers are recorded in the meeting minutes.
- Speakers are to address the Board directly, not the audience, and must provide their full name for the record before making their comment.
- Speakers may not play recordings or videos during their public comment.
Members of the community who wish to address the Board can do so in three ways:
Virtual Public Comment
- Individuals who attend the FVRL Board Meeting remotely can participate in public comment by signing up no later than 1 p.m. on the day of the meeting. To sign up for virtual public comment patrons can email trustees@fvrl.org or call 360-906-5011 and leave a message. The email/message must provide name, phone number, city of residence and topic for comment.
In-Person Public Comment
- Individuals who attend the FVRL Board Meeting in person can sign up at the public comment table at the meeting. The public comment table accepts sign up sheets at 5:15 p.m. and closes at the start of the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- Speakers must submit a Public Comment Form with their first and last name, city of residence (or county if they reside in an unincorporated area), and the specific topic(s) they wish to address prior to the start of the meeting. Sign-in forms are limited to one per speaker.
Written Public Comment
- Written comments may be delivered to the Board at its monthly public meeting, mailed to the Board c/o the FVRL Executive Director at 2018 Grand Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661, or emailed to trustees@fvrl.org.
- For the purpose of security, emails to the Board that contain links to external sources (such as articles, websites, videos) will not be accepted as public comments. Additionally, emails to promote services or products, or are a forward of others’ remarks will not be accepted.
- Original photos and/or screenshots to illustrate observed library practices, facilities or materials may be accepted.
- Written comment forms are available at the meeting at the public comment table. Written comments provided at the meeting are sent to the Board the following day.
- Written comments submitted either in person or in advance will not be read aloud during the meeting.
Comments in Public Hearings
- Comment periods during public hearings will be made at the appropriate time on the agenda set for that purpose.
- Comments for a public hearing are limited to the agenda topic of that public hearing.
Revised 03/11/2026