The Lorain County Commission held its first meeting of the year Jan. 8 to reorganize for 2024 with nominations for president and vice president.
Commissioner Jeffrey Riddell was named president while Commission David Moore will serve as vice president.
Additionally, the commissioners approved a third amendment to its public forum policy enacted late last year which drew questions from Commissioner Michelle Hung.
“The rule was very simple. You were allowed to speak on the topic of your choice,” Hung said regarding the previous rules surrounding public comments.
Prior to last year, the rule allowed participants to speak for three minutes.
Currently, each person is permitted to speak for two minutes prior to the commission’s votes and their comments “must be limited to the subject of the matter the Board will be voting upon. Speakers may present once during the individual agenda item period,” according to the legislation.
The public also may speak for two minutes at the close of the meeting and “must be limited to matters germane to County business before the Board of Commissioners,” the document stated.
“I’m not sure why my colleagues are making it so difficult for the residents to exercise their right to free speech,” Hung said.
Riddell and Moore have maintained that they have attempted to cut back on “personal attacks” that have been lobbied toward the commissioners in the past by revising the policy.
“It’s all been done within what we’re allowed to do by the Sunshine Law,” Riddell said.
The policy change has appeared to be successful in cutting back on comments that potentially may “stifle participation” from others in the audience, he said.
“There’s nothing sinister going on here; we just want people to behave and act respectful,” Riddell said.
“I think this topic has come up due to Commissioners Moore and Riddell choosing to shut down my motion for public comment at the meeting on Dec. 20, 2023,” Hung said. “It was unfortunate that they did not allow the public to speak, as there were many first responders in attendance.”
Hung was referring to a special meeting that was called by the commission to vote on the controversial Motorola Solutions’ contract with the county to provide a communication system for safety service personnel.
With the dissenting vote from Hung, the commissioners approved paying the approximate $14 million Motorola Solutions’ contract at the meeting.
In other news, the commission unanimously voted to approve the expenditure of $1.5 million for architectural services for the design of the new Lorain County Jail.
The commission also voted to continue its meeting schedule for the year.
The meetings fall on a bi-weekly basis on Tuesdays and Fridays with public hearings being scheduled for the opposite Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.
The commissioners will meet again at 5 p.m., Jan. 16, and 9:30 a.m., Jan. 19, at 226 Middle Ave. in downtown Elyria.
