The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City Hall likely to close due to COVID-19, mayor says
Lorain City Hall likely will close if novel coronavirus cases continue to increase, said Mayor Jack Bradley.
Meanwhile, the Lorain Police Department has 13 officers in quarantine due to positive tests for COVID-19, said police Chief James McCann.
After considering their legislation Nov. 16, Lorain City Council turned its discussion to the effects of the pandemic.
“This is worse than it was back in March and April, and even during the summer,” Bradley said.
Earlier that day, he said he began communicating with the city department heads about closing City Hall and working from home.
If the numbers continue trending in the wrong direction, a closure could happen starting Nov. 23.
“I think the prudent thing to do is to close City Hall,” the mayor said. “The feedback that I received from City Council members, seemed to favor the closing of City Hall to the public again, and then whatever decision council makes regarding having meetings, whether you want to do them through Zoom, or you want to continue to meet together, that’s a choice that you’re going to have to make.”
He referred to the popular online program for hosting virtual meetings and conferences.
City Council
As of Nov. 16, council members did not speak definitively about changing to online meetings.
That night, Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter participated in the meeting via conference call.
Council generally has met in-person during the spring, summer and fall months of the pandemic.
Council’s chamber now has clear plastic partitions between members.
Audience seats are taped to indicate open seats spaced at least six feet apart.
Although a few more members of the public come to watch in person, council attendance is nowhere near what it was before the pandemic.
In several public meetings over the last few months, city staff have used a call-in system to field questions from people watching online.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Beth Henley thanked everyone for wearing their masks properly.
Council members lead by example and are setting an example for all the residents of Lorain, Henley said.
Police Department
Bradley mentioned the Lorain Police Department has officers who tested positive for COVID-19.
McCann confirmed 13 officers tested positive and are in quarantine.
They are in various stages of isolating and will return when cleared by Lorain County Public Health, he said.
Officers have been pulled from other duties to cover work as needed, the chief said.
“I think the police officers now have realized how important it is to wear the face masks,” McCann said. “They weren’t required to wear face masks and a lot of them did not wear face masks.”
Bradley cited his conversation with McCann about how the disease spread quickly among the officers.
“It kind of just shows you how rapidly this particular virus can spread,” the mayor said. “We’re just having new records every day, not only in the United States, but the state of Ohio.”
Municipal Court
Bradley said he met Nov. 16 with Lorain Law Director Pat Riley and Municipal Court Judge Thomas J. Elwell Jr. and Judge Mark J.
Mihok about closing. The courts will attempt to do as many hearings remotely as they can, Bradley
said.
Lorain Municipal Court takes up the second floor of Lorain City Hall.
At the hospital
Mercy Health Lorain leaders are concerned about the bed capacity and number of staff who tested positive for COVID-19, the mayor said, citing conversations with Speaking to Mercy Market President Ed Oley.
Shutting down?
Council members do not want to see restaurants shut down again because they are just getting back on their feet, Henley said.
She asked whether the mayor had any power to shut down other gatherings, such as wedding receptions.
Bradley cited DeWine’s directive of Nov. 16 that outlined how wedding or funeral receptions should proceed.
“I can’t supersede what the governor orders, as far as bars and restaurants and gyms,” Bradley said. “If they say that they have to close, we have to follow that.”