At the first Lorain City Council meeting of the year, new members took their oath of office and they determined their meeting schedule for 2024.
City officials met early to allow Lorain Municipal Court Judge Mark Mihok to administer the oaths to Council for the 2024-25 term prior to the Jan. 2 Council meeting.
Newly elected Ward 7 Councilwoman Mary Spellacy replaced Cory Shawver, after winning the seat during the 2023 election.
Also, newly elected Ward 6 Councilman Antonio Baez replaced former Councilman Rey Carrion, who now is Lorain safety-service director.
Carrion replaced Stanford Washington, who resigned.
Council members at-large Joseph Koziura and Sylvia DuVall replaced former Council members Mary Springowski and Mitchell Fallis, who opted to run for mayor during the primary election, therefore giving up their seats.
Council also passed legislation regarding this year’s schedule.
It will continue to meet at 6 p.m. on the first and third Mondays each month unless the meeting date falls on a holiday.
In that event, the meeting will take place the following day.
Councilman-at-Large Tony Dimacchia, who was reelected in 2023, was nominated as president pro-temp, to fill in for Council President Joel Arredondo if he is absent from a meeting.
In other news, Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the police chief to apply for the 2024 Marine Patrol Assistance Program.
“The Lorain Marine Patrol is a critical unit within the Lorain Police Department, tasked with enforcing the Ohio Revised Code in addition to providing emergency response to boating accidents and other emergencies on the water,” stated the ordinance.
The grant funding is available through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft Marine Patrol Assistance Grant Program.
The Police Department is required to contribute $11,667 in order to receive the $35,000 grant, according to officials.
Council meets again in regular session at 6 p.m., Jan. 16.
