I made my public comment…What happens now?
Clevelanders have been offering public comments during city council meetings for months now. Does council have a plan to act on the issues residents have raised?
Clevelanders have been offering public comments during city council meetings for months now. Does council have a plan to act on the issues residents have raised?
The day is finally here: After passing legislation allowing public comment, city council posted the signup form this week. Residents who wish to speak can sign up for a three-minute speaking slot beginning Wed., Sept. 29 at noon for the Monday, Oct. 4 meeting.
The recent fight over the former Q Arena deal is about much more than the arena itself. It is about the return of grassroots progressive activism in Cleveland.
Cleveland City Council is set to vote Wednesday, August 18th on a rules change allowing the Clerk of Council to establish rules and procedures for public comment at its meetings. The vote follows months of public debate and wrangling about the need for public comment, intensified by pressure from advocacy groups amidst the elections. All 17 council seats are up for grabs this fall, and council president Kevin Kelley is running for mayor.
For years, advocacy groups have requested public comment at Cleveland City Council meetings and a more straight-forward process for commenting at Council committee meetings. City Council seems closer to adopting public comment than ever before, but we need to keep paying attention and pushing them to adopt a public comment policy that is inclusive, transparent, and fair.