City Council generally meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. (Check out our events calendar for specifics.)

Get the agenda

While you can speak on any topic* you want, it’s especially impactful to speak on a topic that is currently before City Council. It’s always worth checking the agenda to see if you can tie your comments into something happening now! City Council Meeting agendas for all regularly scheduled meetings will be posted the Thursday preceding a Council meeting, by end of day.  See it here.

Speak up! There are three ways to engage in City Council Meetings:

  1. Speak up in person. Contact Alicia Finny (alicia.finney@lynchburgva.gov or 434-455-3990) by noon the Friday before the meeting. Your request can be simple: “My name is Jane Doe. I’m a resident of Lynchburg and I’d like to speak at Tuesday’s City Council meeting about bike lanes.”

  2. Send a voicemail: call the Clerk of Council’s number (434-455-3990) and leave a “3 minutes or less” voicemail. Time yourself before you call — they will cut off your message at three minutes!

  3. Submit your written comment. Keep it to 3 minutes when read out loud — or a max of 500 words.

Caveats and Limitations

Once the Council has heard a presentation from an individual or organization on a particular subject, the individual or organization may not make another presentation on the same subject within three (3) months of the first presentation, except by a majority vote of the Councilmembers present and voting.

All persons appearing before the Council or in the Council Chamber while a meeting of the Council is in session will not be allowed to:

  • campaign for public office; promote private business ventures;

  • use profanity or vulgar language or gestures; use language which insults or demeans any person or which, when directed at a public official or employee, is not related to his or her official duties, however, citizens have the right to comment on the performance, conduct, and qualifications of public figures;

  • make non-germane or frivolous statements;

  • interrupt other speakers or engage in behavior that disrupts the meeting, including but not limited to, applause, cheers, jeers, etc.;

  • engage in behavior that intimidates others; or, address the Council on issues that do not concern the services, policies, or affairs of the Council or the City.

Helpful Links

Tips for a Great 3-Minute Speech to City Council

  • Start with who you are

    • “My name is Jane Doe and I’m a City resident. I’m also a mom to three kids in Lynchburg City Schools.”

  • Tell a personal story

    • “This year, my youngest child has really struggled to keep up with reading… His teacher at RS Payne… We have looked for more support, but his guidance counselor… As a result, we… The impact on our family has been…”

  • Connect it to a broader issue

    • “Our family is not alone. According to the American School Counselor Association, the recommended ratio of guidance counselors to students is 250 students for every 1 guidance counselor. At LCS, that ratio is 393 students for every guidance counselor — or 57% over the recommended ratio. No wonder we’re struggling at home — and no wonder our guidance counselor doesn’t have time to work with us.

  • End with a call to action — what do you want City Council to do about it?

    • Tonight I am asking City Council to fully fund the proposed FY 2025 budget, which would provide for X more guidance counselor positions. Our kids deserve it, our families deserve it, and our schools deserve it. Thank you.”