Public Meetings

There are three ways to provide public comment during meetings:

1. During Consent and Administrative Agenda Items: You can comment on items placed on the Board of Port Commissioners or Airports Special Management Committee’s consent and administrative agendas. These meetings typically occur:
   1. Board of Port Commissioners: First Thursday of every second month at 9:30 AM.
   2. The Airports Special Management Committee: Third Tuesday of every month at 1:30 PM.
2. During Public Hearing Agenda Items: If an item on the agenda is listed for a public hearing (usually ordinances or resolutions), you can comment on that specific item.
3. Before the meeting is adjourned, there will be a call for public comment on any matter.

In every instance, the public should complete a white comment card entitled, “Request to Address the Board of Port Commissioners and Airports Special Management Committee” located on the counter inside the conference room at the Port Authority Training and Conference Center. The item on which the member of the public desires to speak should be specified on the comment card. Once the white card has been completed, it should be handed back to a designated Port Authority employee.

Public comments are limited to three minutes per speaker.

1. Fill out a white comment card titled “Request to Address the Board of Port Commissioners and Airports Special Management Committee.” You will find these cards at the counter inside the conference room.
2. Specify the agenda item you wish to speak on.
3. Please hand back the completed card to a designated Port Authority employee.
4. When your name is called, come forward. Each person addressing the Commission must stand at the podium and give their name for the record. All remarks should be addressed to the Commission as a body and not to any specific member. Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker.

Generally, there’s no ex parte limitation on contacting Board members about agenda items, except for those involving competitive solicitations or proposals. There is also no prohibition on the submission of petitions, photographs or other written information. Copies of items given to the Commissioners should also be given to the “Minutes” person seated directly to the right of the conference table for inclusion in the record.

Yes, you can submit petitions, photographs or other written information relevant to agenda items. Copies of items given should also be provided to the “Minutes” person for inclusion in the record.

Members of the public who do not intend to address the Commission, but desire to indicate support or opposition against an agenda item, may complete a “Request to Address the Board of Port Commissioners” card, checking the appropriate box in support or opposition. When the Commission calls their name, they may decline to speak. The name and whether the person was “for” or “against” the item will be read into the record.

Members of the public should refrain from making comments or holding discussions while members of the Commission, Airports Special Management Committee, Port Authority staff or other citizens are speaking. All cell phones and pagers should be turned off during the meeting, and members of the public who are unable to remain for the entire meeting should exit as quietly as possible.