Councilman David C. Eckert, one of two council members appointed in February to revise the policy, said the action removed a portion of the policy concerning direct conversation with council members.

Mayor John D.W. Reiley in February appointed Eckert and Councilman Michael P. Halcovage to revise the policy, which had triggered debate and a public protest outside City Hall.

“I don’t think there’s any denial of a right to speak now,” Eckert said following Monday’s meeting.

The most controversial part of the original policy prohibited any speaker from directly addressing a specific council member. It required speakers to address the council as a whole and individual council members were prohibited from responding. That portion was removed in the revised policy.

However, people wishing to speak must request to be placed on the agenda five business days prior to the meeting and also give their topic. People who are not on the agenda but wish to speak at a meeting must sign a registration form outside council chambers prior to the meeting and then be granted permission by the mayor.

Speakers remain limited to five minutes.

Concerning another matter, council heard the first reading of an ordinance to accept a deed of dedication for Forest Road.

The road, located off Main Street in Mount Carbon, has been closed since March 27 while construction crews repaired a blocked drain beneath it. The blockage has caused flooding at the residence of Alice Breslin and Ken Matz, 19 Main St.

Dallago Backhoe Service employees found a tire blocking the drain on March 28. The road has remained closed while it undergoes repairs from the digging.

Dallago was hired by Forest Hills Inc., the firm that developed Pottsville’s Forest Hills section. There had been a question about responsibility for Forest Road.

Council’s action to pass the ordinance solves that question.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said the city doesn’t plan to reimburse Forest Hills Inc. for any construction that was done or contracted prior to the adoption of the ordinance.

“Everyone has a responsibility to make this right,” Palamar said.

Prior to Monday’s meeting, Mike McGeever, manager of the city’s Elm Street Project, addressed the public regarding a possible expansion of the neighborhood revitalization project.

McGeever said he hopes to get the authorization from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to include Nichols Street, a residential area, in the project.

“It is a comprehensive, community revitalization program. It will have a domino effect on the community as a whole,” McGeever said.

McGeever said it is the first time the DCED has been asked to grant an expansion.

Pottsville received the designation of an Elm Street city in 2006. The project has involved the revitalization of Centre Street from north of City Hall to Peacock Street in conjunction with Schuylkill Community Action.

The expansion would offer up to $10,000 to qualified homeowners to renovate their properties and bring them up to code.

McGeever said a petition effort is under way and more information is available through Schuylkill Community Action.