The Huber Heights City Council on Jan. 27 withdrew a motion to adopt revised "Rules of Council" that would clarify public participation procedures and instead sent the item to a Feb. 4 work session after residents and at least one councilmember objected to aspects of the proposed changes.

Cindy Schwartz, a Ward 2 resident, addressed the proposed rules during the public comment period and urged council to avoid changes that could be applied unevenly. "Without public comment being allowed at these meetings, it would leave many residents not being able to address all of council with their thoughts collectively and in person," Schwartz said, adding that the rules as drafted left "vague" language that could invite inconsistent enforcement and potential legal challenges.

Mayor Gore and city staff explained that the changes under consideration would not shorten the existing five-minute limit for speakers but would add language permitting council to curtail public comment that meets certain criteria, such as repetition or threatening behavior. The mayor noted that the Ohio Open Meetings Act does not require a public comment period and that the city has historically offered more public participation than the statute requires.

After discussion among councilmembers and several public remarks praising the opportunity to speak, Councilmember Scott (motion) and Nancy (second) withdrew their motion to adopt the rules and the item was rescheduled for further discussion at the Feb. 4 council work session.

Ending: Councilmembers and staff asked for more time to review the language and for follow-up discussion at the Feb. 4 work session; no ordinance or resolution was adopted at the Jan. 27 meeting.