Get Involved

When you find an issue you care about, the next step is knowing where to go, how to participate, and how to make your voice heard through official City of Salem channels.

This page is a guide to official City resources for attending meetings, submitting testimony, contacting elected officials, and serving on boards or commissions.

Comment at a City Council Meeting

The City of Salem provides several ways for residents to comment on City Council, Urban Renewal Agency, Salem Housing Authority Commission, and Budget Committee items.

You can usually comment in three ways:

• Speak in person at a meeting
• Sign up to provide online comment or testimony
• Submit written comments by email or paper copy

Submit written testimony

To submit written comments for City Council, Urban Renewal Agency, or Salem Housing Authority Commission agenda items, email:

cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net

You can also deliver paper copies to:

• Official instructions Comment and participate

Speak in person

City Council meetings are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 6:00 p.m.

People who wish to comment in person can sign up at the meeting entryway before the meeting starts. The City notes that there may be different sign-up sheets depending on the meeting type, such as City Council, Salem Housing Authority, or Salem Urban Renewal Agency.

When speaking, you will generally be asked to state your name and street address or ward. Speakers typically have three minutes.

Provide online comment or testimony

For online comment or testimony at a Salem City Council meeting, the City provides a sign-up form on the day of the meeting.

The form is generally available between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. After signing up, you should receive instructions for joining the Zoom meeting and providing your comment.

• Official participation page Comment and participate

Find City Council agendas and meeting materials

Before commenting, it helps to read the agenda and supporting materials. Agenda items show what Council is scheduled to discuss, vote on, or receive as information.

• Legistar calendar Agendas and minutes
• City Council meetings cityofsalem.net

Find upcoming public meetings

Many issues are discussed before they reach a final Council vote. A topic may appear in a work session, board meeting, commission meeting, committee meeting, public hearing, or neighborhood association meeting.

• Public meeting calendar Upcoming meetings

Watch City Council meetings

Many public meetings are streamed or recorded. Salem Civic Thread links to public meeting videos when available, but the original recordings are hosted by official or community media sources.

• City Council on CC:Media cityofsalem.net
• Capital Community Media @CCMediaSalem on YouTube
• City of Salem Public Meetings YouTube channel

Contact your City Councilor

You can contact your City Councilor if you have questions about topics discussed at a recent Council meeting or if there is an issue you would like to bring to their attention.

• Contact a City Councilor cityofsalem.net
• Ward map Find your ward

Comment on planning and land use notices

Planning and land use issues often have their own comment process, deadlines, hearing dates, and staff contacts.

The City’s Planning Notices page includes information about active land use notices, comment deadlines, hearing bodies, and where to submit comments. The City notes that comments for administrative land use applications and public hearings can be submitted online or to the staff contact identified in the land use notice.

• Planning notices cityofsalem.net
• Active land use applications Interactive map

Serve on a board or commission

Many important public discussions happen through Salem’s boards, commissions, and advisory groups. These groups help gather information, review issues, and make recommendations to City staff or City Council.

• Serve on a board or commission Learn more
• Current openings View openings
• Apply online Application portal

For questions, contact the City Recorder’s Office:

boardsandcommissions@cityofsalem.net
503-588-6097

Volunteer and get involved

The City also maintains a general Volunteer & Get Involved page with opportunities to serve the community through boards, commissions, parks, and other volunteer programs.

• Volunteer & Get Involved cityofsalem.net

A good way to participate

When you find an issue on Salem Civic Thread that matters to you:

1. Watch the relevant meeting segment.
2. Open the official agenda or meeting page.
3. Check whether the issue is coming up again.
4. Submit written testimony or sign up to comment if public input is being accepted.
5. Contact your City Councilor if you want to ask a question or share your view.
6. Follow related meetings, boards, commissions, or committees where the topic may continue.