Akron council refers proposed change to public-comment rule after concerns about Charter conflict

Akron City Council on the floor moved to refer a resolution that would amend Rule 5.3 of the council’s rules of procedure to give members and counsel additional time to review the proposal.

The measure, introduced as Resolution 373-2023 and described by the sponsor as an effort to focus public comment on those “vested” in city issues, drew objections from several council members who said the change could exclude people the city charter intends to allow to speak. “The charter section 33 mandates that members of the public — not necessarily Akron residents or taxpayers — have that right,” a council member said during the discussion, urging legal review before action.

A sponsor said the intent was to focus public comment on city-specific issues and avoid taking up time on topics outside council’s jurisdiction; the sponsor asked the council to refer the resolution so members could review the language and counsel could provide guidance.

Council voted on the referral by roll call and the motion to refer was approved 5–0 in committee and a separate roll-call on an earlier referral recorded a 4–1 result on a different procedural motion noted on the agenda.

The council’s clerk and sponsor said the referral will allow the law department to confirm whether the proposed limitation would conflict with Charter Section 33 and to return recommended edits so the body can consider the measure with clearer legal guidance.

Next steps: The resolution was referred for further review; any revised language and counsel opinion will be returned to council for future consideration.