Editorial: Lorain’s legislation on bidding is positive move

Lorain City Council changed the bidding of city contracts by approving a new ‘middle class’ policy that will increase the number local workers on Lorain’s public projects, and to include more women and minorities.

The new legislation will aid in bolstering Lorain’s image as the International City because residents and visitors will see an a more diverse workforce on city projects.

This was the right thing to do. It’s correcting a wrong. Projects where the city awards bids should at least reflect the demographics of its citizens.

As of the 2010 census, the racial makeup of the city was 68 percent white and minorities 32 percent. As for gender, 47.5 percent of Lorain is male and 52.5 percent female.

What’s puzzling was how council deliberated over this legislation.

Members voted 9-2 to approve the new bidding policy and procedure that replaces the city’s Workforce Participation Plan approved last year. It should have been an 11-0 vote.

The policy is not a labor or management policy, but a new ‘middle class’ ordinance to help make sure work goes to local residents, minorities and women, and all workers get a fair wage on city projects. It will help grow the middle class.

That should have been enough for all council members to support it. What else was there to discuss?

But At-Large Councilman Dan Given and Ward 5 Councilman Eddie Edwards voted against the plan. Both men went as far as slamming Council’s unwillingness to let people have their say in committee, and Edwards adding that changing the criteria for bidding could drive up costs, but he didn’t say how.

It didn’t have to go to committee. We’re still scratching our heads as to why the councilmen were opposed to moving our community forward with inclusion and giving all facets of Lorain a chance to succeed economically.

During the council discussion on the legislation, Councilman Given said, ‘This is ludicrous, this is political, this is B.S. I’m not having anything to do with this ordinance.’

Yes, Councilman Given, it was ludicrous, political and B.S. to vote against the legislation because you didn’t get your way. Instead of voting to move Lorain forward, you want to be a spoiled brat and take your ball and go home so no one else can play with it.

Ward 1 Councilman Brian Gates summed it up: ‘Once committee calls went by, it became clear that Mr. Given was doing a practice that he’s well known for, which is, if he’s opposed to a piece of legislation, send it to committee and never ever call a meeting.’

Even Mr. Gates said he reconsidered his vote when it became clear the legislation would never be brought up for additional discussion.

Councilman Given is a champion for Lorain. He does his homework and he’s prepared at council meetings. On this issue, though, he’s on the wrong side of moving the city forward.

Councilman Given, what the council did was legal, was not precedent setting and it likely won’t be challenged in court.

We’re not suggesting quotas or set-asides, but there should be a level playing field to include those who are qualified to do work for the city.

The new bidding policy affects projects in which the city spends $250,000 or more, lowered from $2 million. It requires bidders to pay prevailing wages and provide health insurance benefits, establish a safety and training program and use W-2 forms in paying workers. It also will require companies to hire at least 50 percent local workers from Lorain and Lorain County, up from 25 percent, and more women and minority workers. A new committee with trade group and contractor representation also will review how the process works and whether changes are needed to meet the new provisions. Council amended the requirement for hiring minority and women workers, based on a request from Councilman-at-large Tony Richardson to require 20 percent minorities and 15 percent women. We also agree that if contractors don’t meet those standards, they should not be barred from city work, but they must explain efforts to find local, minority and women workers. If they don’t, council should look at other contractors who will.

Councilman Given, we know you have a passion for the city. But don’t let your emotions get in the way of progress.