Making an In-Person Public Comment at An Upcoming Council Meeting
Council welcomes public comments at each regularly scheduled Monday evening Council meeting.
If you are interested in speaking at a Cleveland City Council, please read the revised rules and procedures for public comments and fill out the online form below.
Submitting a Registration to Speak
Anyone who is interested in addressing Cleveland City Council at a public meeting must register with City Council prior to that meeting.
Registrations may be submitted:
- By using the online form below
- In person at Cleveland City Hall, Room 220, 601 Lakeside Avenue NE. Paper forms are available to register.
- By downloading this form, filling it out, and emailing it to publiccomment@clevelandcitycouncil.gov or dropping it off at Council offices.
Registration Periods
Registrations will ONLY be accepted between Noon on Wednesday and 2:00 pm on the same day as a regularly scheduled Monday evening Council Meeting.
Council allows no more than 10 people to comment at its regularly scheduled Monday night meetings. Registration will close as soon as the first 10 people sign up. Each registrant will be allotted 3 minutes to speak.
Registrations will only be accepted for making comments at the next regular meeting; registrations for any future meeting will not be accepted until the Wednesday before the meeting. Early, incomplete, or false registrations will be rejected.
Notice of Registration
If your registration is successful, you will be notified by email or phone.
Accommodations
If you need assistance due to a language barrier or disability, please let us know at least three (3) days in advance by going here to make a request.
Attending Council Meetings
Cleveland City Council meetings are held in the Council Chamber on the second floor of Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue, East.
Visitors may park for free at the upper lot behind City Hall after 5:00 pm on days when Council is meeting.
Public Record
Please remember that all registration information and public comments are public records and can be subject to public record requests.
Decorum
Cleveland City Council must maintain orderly, efficient, and productive meetings to ensure the important business of city government is completed. Council has developed a set of rules and procedures that allow the public to be heard in a fair and orderly manner. These rules and procedures apply to all speakers, and Council does not discriminate based on the speaker's identity or viewpoint or the content of the speech. Please read Council's revised rules and procedures for public comments before you register and before you appear before City Council.
Please note: Anyone attending a Cleveland City Council meeting is prohibited from engaging in any action or behavior that substantially interrupts, delays, or disturbs the due conduct of the proceedings of the Council; such conduct includes but is not limited to: handclapping, stomping of feet, whistling, making other loud noises, yelling, or similar demonstrations. Any person who violates any of the above may be immediately removed from the Council Chamber.
Rules for Speakers
- Speakers may not yield their time to other speakers.
- Speakers shall only address the topic they registered to speak about.
- Speakers' comments shall not be frivolous or repetitive.
- Speakers shall not use language that is obscene or likely to produce imminent unlawful action.
- Speakers shall address all comments to the presiding officer.
Prohibited Items
- Signs, posters, banners, placards, or similar items
- Food and drink
Make a Comment In Person at a Council Meeting
To sign up to speak during the registration period (Noon Wednesday through 2:00 pm Monday before Council Meetings) click this button.
You will be notified by email or phone if you are one of the ten people who will speak.
Make a Comment Online
If you would rather submit your comments in writing, please fill out the form below.
Written public comments will be published on this page and delivered to all Councilmembers before the next full Council Meeting after they have been submitted.
Public Comments
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Wcsb
I am appalled by what has occurred. This is not in the best interest of the community. Cleveland State should be ashamed of themselves and the utter disregard for students and student engagement / involvement. Ideastream has a black eye now. Volunteering at wcsb was the absolute best thing about attending CSU. Please do all you can to return this back to students.
Susan Skovira
Browns Stadium
Nobody cares if the Browns move out of the city. It cost the city of Cleveland a ridiculous amount of resources and money to deal with with the ridiculousness that the stadium brings for 10 days out of 365 every single year. The amount of money that the stadium generates pales in comparison to that cost of resources to the city. Stop wasting taxpayer monies on things that do not generate enough revenue to cover its costs. Develop the land into something that will generate revenue 365 days a year. As individuals representing the city of Cleveland and its residence that’s what you should be focused on. Not wasting money on lawyers to fight something you were never going to win.
Jennifer Lynch
The WCSB takeover by Ideastream
I am commenting not only as a Cleveland resident but as someone who feels wounded by what has happened to WCSB. When I first moved here, WCSB made me feel at home in Cleveland. For decades, that station was more than noise in the air — it was a living, breathing pulse in our city. Students, artists, activists, and fans of the underground, as well as curious souls, all found a home there. You did not just take over a radio signal — you extinguished a voice.
Learning that Cleveland State abruptly handed over WCSB’s programming to Ideastream’s JazzNEO, with solely smooth jazz 24/7, felt like betrayal — especially to the students who poured so much of their hearts into that place.
It was said that this “move will bring more opportunity to the students.” But look at what they’ve done:
-They silenced their creative freedom.
-They stripped away the diversity of voices and genres that defined WCSB.
-They replaced a dynamic, community-rooted learning ground with something bland and sterile.
-They delivered this change with no notice, no real consultation, and no apparent respect.
This is not transformation. This is confiscation. Do you know what they’ve taken from Cleveland? They’ve taken a platform for voices nobody else would hear. They’ve taken a space where students could experiment, fail, learn, push boundaries, and connect with the city. They’ve taken a bridge between campus and community. They’ve taken history.
I understand that universities must evolve, and that financial concerns and strategic shifts are real. But they do not have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. They do not have to silence thousands to “modernize.” They can preserve the station’s soul and explore new paths.
Here’s what I hope will happen:
They’ll reverse the takeover, or at least restore a portion of the student-run freeform programming.
Establish real, binding guarantees — in writing — that the students will retain control over content and scheduling.
Reopen channels of dialogue: host public forums, involve students, alumni, and community members in deciding the station’s future.
Commit to transparency about how this decision was made, who benefited, and how “opportunity” will be real and meaningful (not just lip service).
If they want to talk about “shared governance,” “equity,” or “community engagement,” start by restoring WCSB. Let the people they claim to serve have a voice again. I and many others in Cleveland will be watching and waiting. I hope they do the right thing. Return our radio station. Don’t let this legacy be erased by bureaucratic indifference.
Sincerely,
Erika Karl
Cleveland resident
Learning that Cleveland State abruptly handed over WCSB’s programming to Ideastream’s JazzNEO, with solely smooth jazz 24/7, felt like betrayal — especially to the students who poured so much of their hearts into that place.
It was said that this “move will bring more opportunity to the students.” But look at what they’ve done:
-They silenced their creative freedom.
-They stripped away the diversity of voices and genres that defined WCSB.
-They replaced a dynamic, community-rooted learning ground with something bland and sterile.
-They delivered this change with no notice, no real consultation, and no apparent respect.
This is not transformation. This is confiscation. Do you know what they’ve taken from Cleveland? They’ve taken a platform for voices nobody else would hear. They’ve taken a space where students could experiment, fail, learn, push boundaries, and connect with the city. They’ve taken a bridge between campus and community. They’ve taken history.
I understand that universities must evolve, and that financial concerns and strategic shifts are real. But they do not have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. They do not have to silence thousands to “modernize.” They can preserve the station’s soul and explore new paths.
Here’s what I hope will happen:
They’ll reverse the takeover, or at least restore a portion of the student-run freeform programming.
Establish real, binding guarantees — in writing — that the students will retain control over content and scheduling.
Reopen channels of dialogue: host public forums, involve students, alumni, and community members in deciding the station’s future.
Commit to transparency about how this decision was made, who benefited, and how “opportunity” will be real and meaningful (not just lip service).
If they want to talk about “shared governance,” “equity,” or “community engagement,” start by restoring WCSB. Let the people they claim to serve have a voice again. I and many others in Cleveland will be watching and waiting. I hope they do the right thing. Return our radio station. Don’t let this legacy be erased by bureaucratic indifference.
Sincerely,
Erika Karl
Cleveland resident
Erika Karl
Public funds
I vehemently disagree with supporting the Browns with public taxes funds. The Browns are a privately-owned for-profit enterprise. If they wish for any public funds beyond what was committed many years ago, then they need to give taxpayers ownership like Green Bay. Our tax dollars should be used to provide essential services for residents- not given to the Browns.
Gwen Forte
The Browns and City $100M Settlement
I urge the Mayor and Council to reconsider and reject this deal. While $100M is a considerable amount of money, it accounts for less than 4% of the approximately $2.5B total Stadium and District investment, which rightfully belongs within Cleveland City limits. In 1995-1999, it was the City of Cleveland—not Brook Park or any of the neighboring suburbs—that went to bat and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to secure the future of NFL football in Northeast Ohio. At the time, it was clear that the City felt this was a worthwhile investment because a) football is an important piece of Northeast Ohio's culture, and b) because of long-term economic benefits that come from 75,000 people flooding the streets on average once a month. To argue this loss of visitor traffic to downtown would be anything short of devastating for the City, Cuyahoga County, and throughout the Greater Cleveland Region as a ripple effect is simply naive. The City's own economic impact reports confirm this.
Proposing to leave the City of Cleveland for a mixed-use development immediately adjacent to the airport, Haslam Sports Group (HSG) sends a clear message: Cleveland, the battered but still beating heart of Northeast Ohio, isn't worth visiting, and isn't worth investing in. Fly in, eat at HSG-owned restaurants, stay in an HSG-owned hotel, go to a game, and fly out the next day. All without ever setting foot in a single one of Cleveland's vibrant neighborhoods, or experiencing what this great city has to offer. Cleveland's best sales pitch is the experience people have here, but if people never set foot in the city, it is a hard sell due to uninformed national narratives.
There are two equitable options for settlement of this case. First, very simply, HSG abandons all plans to relocate the stadium development outside of the City of Cleveland. The stadium belongs in an accessible, densely populated area, where the investment complements and enhances attractions and amenities, not detracts from them. The City has already agreed to massive contributions, perhaps there are additional incentives that would make this settlement more enticing to HSG? Any urban planner will tell you, this is how revitalization and economic growth begins (Reference Arena District, Columbus). Burke Airport is the obvious solution to the issue of space and parking concerns if the existing land is unsuitable, but there are various other locations throughout downtown and the inner neighborhoods that would be appropriate as well.
The second equitable alternative would be for the City leverage the precedent set in '95/'96 where the City was granted rights to the team's identity prior to the franchise's move to Baltimore. In this scenario, Cleveland would "license" the name "Cleveland Browns" to HSG for (in my opinion) no less than $50M/year as long as the team plays outside the City of Cleveland. That money would be channeled directly into an infrastructure fund to be accessed by developers and companies looking to redevelop areas within the city, particularly downtown and on the lakefront, with special emphasis placed on attraction larger corporations looking to relocate. This scenario, if managed properly, would foster growth and development for decades rather than just a few years, and would go a long way change the current narrative that HSG doesn't believe Cleveland is worth investing in.
Again, I urge the Mayor and Council to reconsider and fight for an outcome that will benefit our city for decades.
Thank you for your consideration.
Proposing to leave the City of Cleveland for a mixed-use development immediately adjacent to the airport, Haslam Sports Group (HSG) sends a clear message: Cleveland, the battered but still beating heart of Northeast Ohio, isn't worth visiting, and isn't worth investing in. Fly in, eat at HSG-owned restaurants, stay in an HSG-owned hotel, go to a game, and fly out the next day. All without ever setting foot in a single one of Cleveland's vibrant neighborhoods, or experiencing what this great city has to offer. Cleveland's best sales pitch is the experience people have here, but if people never set foot in the city, it is a hard sell due to uninformed national narratives.
There are two equitable options for settlement of this case. First, very simply, HSG abandons all plans to relocate the stadium development outside of the City of Cleveland. The stadium belongs in an accessible, densely populated area, where the investment complements and enhances attractions and amenities, not detracts from them. The City has already agreed to massive contributions, perhaps there are additional incentives that would make this settlement more enticing to HSG? Any urban planner will tell you, this is how revitalization and economic growth begins (Reference Arena District, Columbus). Burke Airport is the obvious solution to the issue of space and parking concerns if the existing land is unsuitable, but there are various other locations throughout downtown and the inner neighborhoods that would be appropriate as well.
The second equitable alternative would be for the City leverage the precedent set in '95/'96 where the City was granted rights to the team's identity prior to the franchise's move to Baltimore. In this scenario, Cleveland would "license" the name "Cleveland Browns" to HSG for (in my opinion) no less than $50M/year as long as the team plays outside the City of Cleveland. That money would be channeled directly into an infrastructure fund to be accessed by developers and companies looking to redevelop areas within the city, particularly downtown and on the lakefront, with special emphasis placed on attraction larger corporations looking to relocate. This scenario, if managed properly, would foster growth and development for decades rather than just a few years, and would go a long way change the current narrative that HSG doesn't believe Cleveland is worth investing in.
Again, I urge the Mayor and Council to reconsider and fight for an outcome that will benefit our city for decades.
Thank you for your consideration.
Mike Simmons
Browns moving
Do not let the Browns move! This is a slap in the face to the people of Cleveland and all of the businesses in the area, including bars, restaurants, hotels etc.
People from the east side will not want to travel to Brook Park. Downtown was the PERFECT in between for east and west siders. Real fans do NOT want this.
People from the east side will not want to travel to Brook Park. Downtown was the PERFECT in between for east and west siders. Real fans do NOT want this.
Brianne Vuraich
The Takeover of WCSB by Ideastream
I am absolutely appalled at the way that CSU and Ideastream Public Media colluded to take over the student and community-run radio station WCSB. WCSB is a well-loved, valuable resource to many of our local communities, and we will fight fiercely to have it restored to the people who love it— both the volunteers who run it as well as those of us who are loyal listeners. WCSB has been serving our communities for almost 50 years, and most of their budget comes from listener donations. The station has been a part of so many of our lives over the decades, providing a breathtakingly diverse lineup of music, entertainment, and public affairs programming, and providing opportunities for students and community members to gain valuable and wide-ranging experience, as well as the ability to express themselves creatively, have their voices heard, and find their place in the world.
Turning the airwaves of WCSB over to Ideastream to be run as a pre-programmed jazz station is a terrible idea. I can’t imagine that those involved really thought it through before going ahead with this deal, or that they knew what they were doing. I understand that Ideastream seems to just want to take over as many FM radio stations as it can get its hands on, without regard to the impact on the local community. But this is not serving the public interest. And what is the long-term goal, here? WCSB as a student and community-run station has built up an incredibly loyal listening base over these 50 years. Have Ideastream and CSU thought about how long the Jazz-Neo station will run? How much of the community will be served? Will this station still be running in 50 years? Or even 20 years? While there may be a segment of the public who will listen to a pre-programmed jazz station, I can guarantee that no one will love this new station, no one will be passionate about it, and it will never have the life-changing impact on anyone that the real WCSB has had on so many people over the years.
I support the Cleveland City Council Resolution to urge CSU and Ideastream to return radio station WCSB to the students and communities that have built and run it for the past 50 years, to support the station so that it can continue in its mission of serving our diverse communities, and I would like to see a pledge in place that CSU will never again make a decision for the station that leaves the station members out of the process. I look forward to the next 50 years of our beloved WCSB!
Turning the airwaves of WCSB over to Ideastream to be run as a pre-programmed jazz station is a terrible idea. I can’t imagine that those involved really thought it through before going ahead with this deal, or that they knew what they were doing. I understand that Ideastream seems to just want to take over as many FM radio stations as it can get its hands on, without regard to the impact on the local community. But this is not serving the public interest. And what is the long-term goal, here? WCSB as a student and community-run station has built up an incredibly loyal listening base over these 50 years. Have Ideastream and CSU thought about how long the Jazz-Neo station will run? How much of the community will be served? Will this station still be running in 50 years? Or even 20 years? While there may be a segment of the public who will listen to a pre-programmed jazz station, I can guarantee that no one will love this new station, no one will be passionate about it, and it will never have the life-changing impact on anyone that the real WCSB has had on so many people over the years.
I support the Cleveland City Council Resolution to urge CSU and Ideastream to return radio station WCSB to the students and communities that have built and run it for the past 50 years, to support the station so that it can continue in its mission of serving our diverse communities, and I would like to see a pledge in place that CSU will never again make a decision for the station that leaves the station members out of the process. I look forward to the next 50 years of our beloved WCSB!
Nicole Mallias
WCSB Cleveland
Hello, my name is James Matzorkis and I've been listening to WCSB for 20 years. It's difficult to put into words how much the station meant to me. I love music. It runs deep in my family. For me, this love is so much more than just appreciating artistic sounds. There's a whole new dimension that comes with being embedded in a culture that creates and explores and appreciates music together. Wcsb used to provide a hub for that culture in Cleveland. I got to know many of the DJs personally, attending the shows they promoted, and even having the chance to express myself on stage and on air. We supported each others artistic endeavors personally, and the station did such an enormous amount to facilitate that cultural exchange. Ideastream is cool, but it cannot and will not ever be able to replace what student run radio at CSU did for culture in Cleveland. Thank you for your time
James Matzorkis
WCSB Radio Grab
As a former CSU alumni, and WCSB listener who witnessed a public school sell its radio station for a mentions and a Board Seat! I’m sure you heard this already!
Michael Mochan
Browns stadium
I'm glad the city is getting something from HSG and an happy that we are no longer pursuing these lawsuits. with the demo of the stadium, I hope this allows the city ro re-visit the need for two entrance ramps from lakeside on the new shoreway conversion.
Matthew Murphy
Submissions are accepted up to 5 hours before a hearing if time slots are available