(A) All meetings of the City Council, except executive sessions, shall be open to the public. R.C. § 121.22 requires that all public bodies generally conduct their meetings in the open so that the public can have access to the business discussed or transacted therein. However, access does not necessarily include participation. There is nothing in the statute that requires that the public body permit a member of the public to speak at the meeting.
(B) Therefore, every regular Council and Committee meeting of City Council will be conducted in a way so that the citizens may address Council; except for executive sessions or if a majority of Council members feel that citizen input would not be practical or possible for that meeting.
(C) If a majority of Council decides to suspend these rules, thereby prohibiting the ability of citizens to address Council during the meeting, then that decision shall be announced prior to the beginning of the meeting.
(Ord. 99-3017, passed 5-20-99)