CLEVELAND — Cleveland City Council approved a change in its rules to allow public comment at future meetings.
Although City Council was set to begin allowing public comments at meetings on Sept. 20, that date is getting pushed back. During Wednesday’s council meeting, two amendments were proposed — to allow non-Cleveland residents to speak and to place public comment into the regular order of business.
Cleveland City Council said it’s unclear when a vote will be considered on the two amendments.
According to Cleveland City Council, public comment has been excluded from meetings for over 90 years. Under the rules, speakers will need to register in advance of Monday meetings. For regular Monday at 7 p.m. meetings, registration will begin the previous Wednesday at noon and would end at 2 p.m. the day of the meeting.
Speaking slots will be allotted by registration order and speaking spots would be limited to 10 commenters. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes to speak.
Speakers will be allowed to speak on any item of city business, and it does not have to be an agenda item, Cleveland City Council said.
Cleveland City Council added that it will adopt decorum rules that would include not using indecent or discriminatory language; not engaging in electioneering; not endorsing or promoting any product or service, among other conduct.
“I’m pleased that as Council President I’ve brought public comment to the meetings after nearly 90 years and for the first time under the Mayor-Council form of government; so nearly 207 years since the City was incorporated,” said Council President Kevin Kelley, who is also a candidate for mayor.
Clevelanders for Public Comment has been urging City Council to adopt new rules to allow public comment. Jessica Trivisonno, who has been leading the Clevelanders for Public Comment group, said the new rules and amendments is a result she is “pretty proud” of.
“The process for getting public comment in Cleveland has demonstrated so many flaws in political leadership here. This final rule isn’t nearly as good as what CPC came up with, but it’s better than anything we’ve had to date,” Trivisonno said.
