City Council Engagement

Awareness & Understanding

Salt Lake City is divided into seven council districts, each represented by an elected council member. Together they vote on the city budget, zoning laws, police policy, parks, and much more. Under Utah's Open and Public Meetings Act, every council session is open to the public — that means you. Start by visiting slc.gov/council to read about each council member and their districts. Find your district using the interactive map. Watch a recorded past meeting on the SLC Council's YouTube channel to get a feel for how meetings run. You're ready for the next step when you can name your council district, your council member, and one issue they voted on in the past six months.

Research & Investigation

Go deeper on the issues. Visit slc.gov/council/agendas to read upcoming and past meeting agendas. Pick one topic on a recent agenda — a new housing development, a park improvement project, a zoning change — and research it. Search for news coverage in the Salt Lake Tribune (sltrib.com) and Deseret News (deseret.com). Look up how the council voted and find out who testified during public comment. Check whether any local organizations — like Wasatch Community Gardens, Bike Utah, or the ACLU of Utah — submitted written comments. Take notes on all sides of the issue. You're ready for the next step when you can explain both sides of one current Salt Lake City Council issue in your own words.

Planning & Preparation

Pick a topic you care about and prepare to speak at a real meeting. Public comment at Salt Lake City Council is open to everyone — you sign up the night of the meeting at City Hall (451 S State St) or online in advance. You get two minutes to speak. Draft your two-minute statement: introduce yourself, state the issue, share your perspective with one or two specific facts, and make a clear ask. Practice reading it aloud — time yourself. Ask a parent, teacher, or friend to listen and give feedback. Visit slc.gov/council/meetings for the upcoming schedule and confirm which meeting addresses your topic. You're ready for the next step when you have a polished two-minute statement and know the date of the meeting you plan to attend.

Taking Action

Attend the meeting and deliver your public comment. Get to City Hall at 451 S State St early — meetings typically start at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Sign in at the public comment sheet near the entrance. Listen carefully to the council discussion before your turn. When called, walk to the podium, state your name and district, and deliver your statement clearly and at a steady pace. Don't rush — two minutes is more time than it feels like. After the meeting, write down what council members said in response and how the vote went. You're ready for the next step when you've spoken at a public meeting and can describe how the council responded to community input that night.

Leadership & Expansion

Now expand your impact. Follow up with your council member's office by email — thank them for their time and ask about ongoing ways to engage, such as advisory boards or neighborhood planning meetings. Recruit a friend or classmate to attend the next meeting with you. Write a short op-ed or letter to the editor for the Salt Lake Tribune or your school newspaper about the issue you spoke on. Check out the Salt Lake City Youth and Family Services programs or the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (slc.gov) if you want a more formal leadership role in city government. You're ready for the next step when you've taken one follow-up action beyond attending the meeting — an email, a letter, or recruiting another participant.

Impact & Reflection

Reflect on your six weeks of civic engagement. How did it feel to sit in the same room as elected officials making real decisions? What did you learn about local government that surprised you? Write a one-page reflection covering: the issue you chose, what you said, how the council responded, and what you would do differently. Compare the power of showing up in person versus signing an online petition — think about which actually moves decision-makers and why. Share your reflection with a teacher or post a summary on social media to inspire others. You're ready for the next step when you can articulate why local government matters to your daily life and name one specific decision the Salt Lake City Council made that affects your neighborhood.