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Committee votes to allow any person to speak at North Royalton council meetings; ordinance to be drafted
Summary
The Review & Oversight Committee voted 3–0 to change Rule IX language from 'any resident' to 'any person' for speaking at council meetings, and recommended removing the item from committee and sending legislation to council; Law Director will review and legislation will be drafted for the next council meeting.
The Special Review & Oversight Committee voted unanimously to recommend changing Rule IX so that "any person" — rather than only "any resident" — may speak at a regular council meeting after submitting the required request form.
Chair Mary Gorjanc moved the change and Vice Chair Kaylee Green seconded. The motion passed 3–0. Clerk Helen Dunlap said she would draft the ordinance and Law Director Tom Kelly would review it before it is placed on the council agenda. Mr. Marnecheck asked to be listed as a sponsor.
Members debated the purpose and scope of the rule. Ms. Gorjanc outlined benchmarking that found 16 of 20 neighboring communities allow non-residents to speak; Ms. Green and Mr. Marnecheck supported changing the language to align practice with past practice and public expectations. Mr. Kelly cautioned that councilmembers are trustees of the city's residents: "By your own determination if you choose to modify your rules you may," he said, noting council has discretion but emphasizing their primary responsibility is to local residents.
The committee also confirmed that a form and sign-in sheet help manage public-comment logistics and provide accurate names for the public record. The committee moved the item off the R & O Committee agenda and recommended council approval of the ordinance. Clerk Dunlap said she would prepare legislation and have Law Director Kelly review it prior to the next council meeting.
