- According to the city ordinances, the Council meetings are to be held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, usually starting with the workshop at 6:00 pm and followed by the Council meeting at 7:00 pm. These times may be adjusted as necessary to meet scheduling needs and the time demands of scheduled agenda items.
- Council agendas are posted on the Council Agenda and Minutes page under e-gov on the city website on the Friday before the council meeting as well as on the front window of city hall.
- The Omro City Council conducts their meeting according to ‘Roberts Rules of Order’.
- Citizens are welcome to attend all workshops and Council meetings. A time to speak out is on the agenda at the 7:00 PM council meeting immediately following the roll call during the public comments section of the agenda. If you wish to have the Council respond to your discussion item, please contact the city clerk in the week prior to the meeting so your item may be placed on the agenda.
At times the Council will convene in a closed session following the procedures within the state statutes. This will be posted in advance on the Council agenda. Citizens are asked to leave the council chambers during the closed session portion of the meeting.
City Council meetings are videotaped whenever possible and posted on the Council Agenda and Minutes page under e-gov on the city website. City Council minutes are also posted on this page after approval.
Common Council Meetings and Public Notice
In accordance with the City of Omro Municipal Code and applicable Wisconsin Statutes, regular meetings of the Omro Common Council are generally held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are typically conducted at Omro City Hall and begin with a Council Workshop Session at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Regular Common Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Workshop sessions are intended to provide opportunities for discussion, information sharing, policy review, project updates, and agenda preparation prior to formal Council action during the regular meeting.
Meeting dates and times may be adjusted when necessary due to holidays, special meetings, public hearings, scheduling conflicts, or the complexity and length of agenda items. Any changes to the regular meeting schedule will be publicly noticed in accordance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law requirements. The posting location is at Omro City Hall, 205 S. Webster Avenue.
Agendas, Notices, and Meeting Materials
Council meeting agendas are generally prepared and posted on the Friday preceding each scheduled meeting. Agendas, minutes, meeting packets, and video recordings may be accessed through the Council Agenda and Minutes section located under the E-Gov area of the City of Omro Website. Official notices are also posted at designated public posting locations, including the front entrance window of City Hall.
Agendas identify the topics scheduled for discussion and action by the Common Council. In compliance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, the Council may only discuss or act upon matters that have been properly noticed on the published agenda.
Rules of Procedure
Meetings of the Omro Common Council are conducted in accordance with the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, together with applicable provisions of Wisconsin Statutes, local ordinances, and adopted Council policies. These procedures are intended to ensure orderly, fair, efficient, and transparent public meetings while allowing all members an opportunity to participate in discussion and deliberation.
Closed Session Meetings
From time to time, the Common Council may convene in Closed Session as authorized under Wisconsin Statutes, including but not limited to matters involving personnel, litigation, labor negotiations, economic development, or other confidential subjects permitted by law. When a Closed Session is scheduled, the statutory authority and subject matter exemption will be identified on the posted agenda as required by Wisconsin law.
Members of the public, media representatives, and attendees are required to leave the Council Chambers during the Closed Session portion of the meeting unless specifically authorized to remain by the Common Council.
Meeting Recordings and Approved Minutes
Whenever feasible, Common Council meetings are video recorded to enhance public accessibility and governmental transparency. Video recordings are generally posted on the Council Agenda and Minutes page of the City website following the meeting.
Official meeting minutes are prepared by the City Clerk’s Office and are posted online after review and formal approval by the Common Council. Approved minutes serve as the official permanent record of Council proceedings and actions.
Public Participation, Public Comments, and Decorum
The City of Omro encourages citizen participation and values respectful public engagement during Common Council meetings. Members of the public are welcome to attend all workshop sessions and regular Council meetings and are provided an opportunity to address the Council during the designated Public Comment portion of the agenda. The Council recognizes the importance of public input and encourages citizens to share comments, concerns, and suggestions regarding City matters.
Public comments are typically heard near the beginning of the regular Council meeting immediately following the roll call and opening formalities. Citizens are encouraged, when appropriate, to first contact City Hall or City staff regarding complaints or concerns prior to addressing the Common Council during a meeting.
When recognized by the Mayor or presiding officer, speakers shall approach the podium, remain at the podium while speaking, and state their name and address for the record before presenting comments. Public comment periods are intended to provide citizens with an opportunity to speak to the Council in an orderly and respectful manner. Individual speakers are generally limited to five (5) minutes unless modified by the Mayor or presiding officer based upon meeting circumstances.
In accordance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, the Council may only discuss or deliberate on matters that have been properly noticed on the published agenda. During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Council members generally do not engage in debate, question-and-answer exchanges, or extended discussion with speakers. Matters presented during public comments may be referred to City staff, a committee, legal counsel, or a future agenda for further review and consideration.
Meetings of the Common Council and all City boards, commissions, and committees are conducted in accordance with the City of Omro Public Decorum Policy, which is intended to maintain order, civility, efficiency, and fairness while protecting the constitutional rights of all participants. Public meetings are considered limited public forums and are subject to reasonable, content-neutral rules governing conduct and participation.
All persons attending City meetings, including elected officials, staff members, and members of the public, are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and avoid behavior that disrupts or interferes with the orderly transaction of City business. Attendees must follow the direction of the Mayor or presiding officer at all times.
Examples of prohibited or disruptive conduct include, but are not limited to:
- Interrupting speakers or Council proceedings
- Yelling, shouting, or disorderly conduct
- Side conversations that interfere with the meeting
- Applause, jeering, demonstrations, or disruptive audience reactions
- Refusal to yield the floor when directed
- Personal attacks, name-calling, profanity, obscene language, or derogatory remarks
- Threatening or intimidating behavior
- Physical intimidation or aggressive conduct toward others
The City of Omro strictly prohibits personal attacks, abusive language, and disruptive behavior directed toward City officials, employees, Council members, or members of the public. Enforcement of decorum standards shall remain content-neutral and shall be based upon conduct rather than viewpoint or opinion expressed.
The Mayor or presiding officer has the authority to maintain order and ensure the efficient conduct of City business. This authority includes calling individuals out of order, issuing warnings, establishing reasonable time limits, recessing meetings when necessary, and directing disruptive individuals to leave the meeting chambers. If a person refuses to comply with lawful directives, law enforcement assistance may be requested to remove the individual from the meeting.
Recording of meetings by the public is generally permitted provided such activity does not disrupt the meeting or interfere with the conduct of City business. Cellular telephones and electronic devices should be silenced during meetings except when necessary for emergency response personnel.
Individuals wishing to have a matter formally discussed or acted upon by the Common Council are encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s Office in advance of the meeting so the matter may be considered for placement on a future agenda in accordance with applicable notice requirements and City procedures. Written materials or visual exhibits intended for Council review should generally be submitted to the City Clerk at least five (5) days prior to the meeting unless otherwise approved by the Mayor or presiding officer.
Review the following council policies: