Can I speak at a Council meeting?
City Council meetings are primarily for acting on legislation which has already been discussed and deliberated in committee. Public input occurs best at the committee level.
However, you may request permission to address Council on an issue by submitting a written request specifying the topic to be discussed to the President of Council no later than the Friday prior to the next scheduled City Council meeting. The President will consider each request and will either refer you to your Ward Councilperson or the appropriate committee for action, or instruct the Clerk of Council to notify you of the appointed time to address council. Presentations are limited to three minutes.

When you speak:

• Give your name and address for the record.
• Limit your remarks to the time allotted.
• Clearly state your point, and then present any factual evidence to back up your point.
• Avoid repetition. If a point has been made by a previous speaker, simply indicate your support or disagreement, unless you have new information.
  

How can I participate in a public hearing?
City Council will listen to your arguments for or against proposed legislation at scheduled public hearings. Prior notices of all public hearings are published in the Akron Beacon Journal classified section and listed in the Council calendar online. If you wish to be heard, you need only attend the Council meeting at which the public hearing is scheduled. Citizens in favor of and those opposing legislation will sign in,  be sworn in and allowed three minutes to voice their opinions. The Clerk of Council also can provide information on public hearings that are scheduled. Agendas are prepared by the Clerk of Council and can be obtained after 1:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to a Monday evening City Council meeting.

How can I voice my opinion at a committee meeting?
If you wish to be heard at a committee meeting, you need only appear at the meeting and request to speak. It is advisable, however, that you contact the committee chairperson prior to the committee meeting or notify the office of the Clerk of Council in writing that you wish to be heard. Committees meet on Mondays prior to the full Council meeting. A schedule of committee meetings is posted on the home page of this Web site. A schedule also can be obtained from the Clerk of Council.

How much can I contribute to a campaign fund?
Campaign finance election laws limit contributions citizens may make to Council members or candidates for Council as follows:

• $100 maximum to any Ward Councilperson or candidate participating in a primary election.
• $100 maximum to any Ward Councilperson or candidate participating in a general election.
• $300 maximum to any At-Large Councilperson or candidate participating in a primary election.
• $300 maximum to any At-Large Councilperson or candidate participating in a general election.

For a more complete explanation of who is a candidate and what constitutes a contribution, see the Akron Municipal Code Section 30.10.