Want to share what’s on your mind with people elected to represent you in Cleveland? Cleveland City Council paused public comment over the summer and it is scheduled to return to Cleveland City Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.
Public comment is a way for residents to address government bodies or elected officials during meetings where they consider and vote on legislation. Since 2021, Cleveland City Council has held space for members of the public to share comments during its regular meetings on Monday evenings. Council meetings take place on the second floor in Room 220 of City Hall, which is located at 601 Lakeside Ave.
Want to speak next week? Slots filled up within four minutes, according to a City Council spokesperson. Council selects up to 10 people to speak each week based on a first-come, first-served basis.
So you think you want to give public comment
Although you can no longer sign up for next week, you can still sign up for future opportunities to give public comment.
All potential speakers must register ahead of time. You can do that online or download the form to submit by email, mail or in-person.
Registrations that are early, incomplete or contain “false” information will be rejected, according to the city’s guidelines. Earlier this year, the city updated its rules to ban “frivolous or repetitive comments” and limit other forms of speech including “language that is obscene or likely to produce imminent unlawful action.”
Forms must be submitted between noon on Wednesday and Monday at 2 p.m. ahead of the council meeting you want to speak at.
Here’s what the form asks for:
- Your name
- Your ward, neighborhood or city of residence (you do not have to live in Cleveland to sign up for public comment)
- Your contact information, such as a phone number and email address
- The topic you plan to talk about
- If you are being paid to speak or representing an organization
The list starts fresh each week, so you’ll need to submit a new form if you want to speak at a future meeting.
Don’t want to speak but still want to be heard? You can submit a written comment instead. Click here and choose the red box labeled “comment online.” You can also see other written comments people have submitted.
You also can find all 17 Cleveland City Council members’ contact information here, if you would like to contact them directly.
Public comment checklist
- Plan your transportation: Parking is free after 5 p.m. on Mondays on the top deck of the Willard Garage connected to City Hall on Lakeside Avenue. There is a bicycle rack on the east side of City Hall, just past the FREE stamp.
- Bring your driver’s license or other current identification card.
- Be prepared to go through a metal detector.
If you need accommodation for a disability or language translation, you can request assistance using this online form. Please contact council staff member Joan Mazzolini at 216-664-4466 or at [email protected] for other ways to get assistance.
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