CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland City Council president Kevin Kelley said Wednesday that recommendations for approving public comments at city council meetings could be presented to members for consideration before the June summer break.
Kelley said he expected a report from the council’s political staff shortly on how best to proceed. He will then make a recommendation to the members and send it to the committees for review.
“I am not against it. I’m very open to the idea, ”said Kelley. “We have to get this right because it’s something that will be with us for a while.”
Kelley would not guarantee how quickly a proposal could be brought before members, but doubted it would take long for the political staff to report back to him.
Kelley’s comments come a day after a civic group advocating public comment announced that nine city council members – a majority – support laws she drafted to include speaking time for council meetings in Cleveland’s charter.
This group, Clevelanders for Public Comment, held a demonstration Wednesday during a forum hosted by the City Club of Cleveland to show how the commenting phase works.
It is suggested that people be allowed to register before city council meetings to speak for up to three minutes at a time within 30 minutes. The Council would have the option to extend speaking time if deemed necessary. Those who are not given the opportunity to speak will be given preference at the next meeting.
Jessica Trivisonno, a member of Clevelanders for Public Comment who helped prepare Billmoderated a simulated 30-minute session in which seven people were allowed to present topics.
These residents offered ideas on recycling, treating Asian Americans, tackling home problems, helping union workers, and how Cleveland should spend $ 541 million in government stimulus aid.
“For residents, employees, business owners and everyone else involved in making Cleveland a great place to have a public comment deadline, there is a place to be heard,” Trivisonno said.
Councilors Basheer Jones and Charles Slife, two of the nine supporting the legislation, took part in the discussion at the City Club.
Slife said allowing public commentary would get residents more involved in their government and help council members by shedding light on issues and viewpoints.
“To me, hearing other people talk is incredibly valuable,” said Slife. “I think the value in getting residents to do this is to broaden the conversation.”
Jones praised the group and urged them to keep pushing for change.
“I urge everyone in our community to continue holding us accountable,” said Jones. “I think we have the momentum now, but I think we have to keep pushing.”
However, the event was not without its own politics.
Jones, who is apparently considering running for mayor, did not mention Kelley by name, but clearly targeted him with a few remarks. Kelley has announced his candidacy for mayor.
“Anyone who speaks out against this law just doesn’t want to hear the voice of the people,” said Jones. “Is it a fear of wanting to hear what people are saying or is it a fear of going against the establishment … that doesn’t want to hear the people’s voice.”
And among those who spoke was a West Side resident involved in Ward 14 politics. an organizer for SEIU Local 1 who represents caretakers and has called for a minimum wage of $ 15 in Cleveland; and Ross DiBello, a West Park resident who is running for mayor.
It remains to be decided whether a change will be made, whether by regulation, as proposed by the group, or by amending the Council’s rules.
Slife said the enactment of the regulation would give the comment deadline more rigidity. “I think that by passing a law, the idea will really be implemented [place and] carve it in stone, ”he said.
However, Kelley expressed concern about drafting a bill to set the time frame, as the way the council holds its meetings is usually included in the council’s rules.
“I am not aware of any case where the council has passed a law telling us how to govern ourselves,” said Kelley.
He noted that since joining in 2006 all he could remember was that the Council had changed the rules when the committee structure was overhauled due to a reduction in the number of Council mandates.
