Barberton City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 24 to adopt a broad set of changes to its internal rules, including creation of a consent agenda, requirements for livestreaming and archiving meetings, and new committee structures.

Miss Garrett, chair of the Rules, Marketing and Development Committee, summarized the package at the meeting and said the changes include extending certain notice periods from 12 to 24 hours, allowing city-assigned electronic mail as an official notice method, and standardizing committee sizes so no committee has fewer than four members. "All regular and special meetings of city council shall be live streamed to ensure public access and transparency," Garrett read from the proposed rule language.

The adopted rules also create a Charter Review Committee to consider proposed charter amendments and add technology and public-relations responsibilities to the Public Welfare and Safety committee. The consent agenda rule clarifies that routine items may be enacted together by a single motion and roll call unless a council member requests separate discussion.

Council president called the roll after a motion to adopt; the chair recorded unanimous support. President Greer noted the changes had been discussed publicly and that the council would begin using the consent agenda and streaming requirements immediately. "Those are finally in," the president said after the roll call.

Why it matters: The changes are aimed at streamlining council business and increasing public access to meetings. The consent agenda is likely to reduce meeting time for routine items but gives members a formal mechanism to pull items for discussion. The streaming and archiving rule creates a permanent public record of proceedings available through the city's website or designated platform.

Next steps: The rules take effect per council procedure; council members said that a consent agenda will be used in upcoming meetings. No further public hearings were required for these rule changes beyond the legislative vote recorded Nov. 24.