Resident urges council to let public speak before executive sessions; Parma Symphony Orchestra asks for community support

During the public-comment portion of the Sept. 26 Parma Heights City Council meeting, resident Susan Randall-Alexander raised concerns about the timing of executive sessions and how late starts can prevent members of the public from speaking.

"If someone got a babysitter in order to come to this meeting, and then you're not back in here by 9:00 ... My question is, what can be done to change that so that the public does get to speak before the council goes into Executive Session?" Randall-Alexander asked. Council President Tom Rounds said he shared the concern and told the commenter he plans to propose a rule change in January to move executive sessions earlier in the agenda so public speakers are accommodated.

In a separate comment, Jack Roberts, representing the Parma Symphony Orchestra, said he has distributed concert dates and promotional material to council members and invited them to attend. Roberts said he worked pro bono for the orchestra, secured a grant to cover production costs so ticket proceeds will support the group's financial stability, and noted performances begin Oct. 16 with an opera planned for Dec. 11 at Valley Forge High School.

Roberts invited council and residents to help promote the concerts and thanked council members for attending.

Council did not act on the public's request for a rule change at the Sept. 26 meeting; Rounds said the change would be proposed for consideration in January.