Linwood Christian and others in Petersburg no longer will be barred from addressing the Petersburg City Council because they owe taxes, fines or fees to the city.

The city and Mayor W. Howard Myers have agreed to a settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia to end any denial of free speech based on debts owed the city.

Under the agreement reached Nov. 23, the city will pay $3,000 to the ACLU of Virginia to cover legal fees in representing Mr. Christian, a community activist.

The ACLU brought the suit on Mr. Christian’s behalf after the mayor and a council majority barred Mr. Christian from speaking on an issue at a public meeting on Jan. 20 because he owed the city money.

Mayor Myers and the city also issued the following public statement as part of the settlement:

“The City and the Mayor support the First Amendment and the right of the citizens and business owners of Petersburg to participate in the public information period of City Council meetings in accordance with the Rules of Council.

“The City and the Mayor acknowledge the concerns Mr. Christian has raised about being denied the opportunity to speak during the public information period of a City Council meeting held on January 20, 2015.

“We are glad that Mr. Christian has been able to speak at a number of subsequent public information periods, and we will continue to ensure that Mr. Christian and all other eligible members of the Petersburg community are permitted to exercise their First Amendment Rights.”

Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia, said she was pleased with the settlement and hopes that “the City of Petersburg has learned a lesson about respecting the rights of its citizens to participate in public forums.”