City Council

Overview

The City of Lorain operates as a statutory city under the laws and regulations set forth under the Ohio Constitution. The form of government prescribed in the City of Lorain is Mayor-Council.

The Legislative Authority is vested in an eleven (11) member Council, three members serve at-large while eight members serve individual wards. The term of office is for two-years. The President of Council serves as the presiding officer and also serves for a two-year term of office. The Legislative Authority fixes the compensation of city officials and employees and enacts ordinances and resolutions, including but not limited to:

• Appropriating
• Borrowing money
• Licensing
• Other municipal purposes
• Regulating businesses
• Services
• Tax levies
• Trades 

Regular Council Meetings

The regular meetings of Lorain City Council are held in the Council Chamber of Lorain City Hall Building on the first and third Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m.   All meetings are open to the public.  If, however; the meeting falls on a legal holiday, it shall be held on the following day. In addition, Lorain City Council adjourns for the month of August annually.

Committee Meeting Schedule

The date and time for all committee meetings shall be set by the respective Chairperson and announced at the Regular or Special meetings of Council unless deemed an emergency by the Chairman.  A majority of members of the committee in attendance shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Mayor or any three members of the Legislative Authority, upon giving at least twenty-four (24) hours advance notice to each member of Legislative Authority, served personally or left at his usual place of residence.  The legislative authority shall not hold a special meeting unless it first gives at least (24) twenty-four hours advance notice to the news media that have requested notification, except in the event of an emergency requiring official action.  In the event of an emergency, the Mayor or members of the Legislative Authority calling said meeting, shall notify the news media immediately of the time, place and purpose of the meeting, in accordance with O.R.C. 121.22.  The business to be transacted at a Special and/or Emergency meeting shall be identified in the notice provided to each member of Council and no other business shall be transacted. Should the Legislative Authority wish to adjourn into Executive Session during a Special and/or Emergency Meeting, the topic of the Executive Session should be directly related to some manner expressly included in the notice. 

The Clerk of Council shall mail advance notification of the Council meeting agenda to any person who requests advance notice and provides self-addressed stamped envelopes for this service.