Clerk of Council
The Village Clerk of Council is responsible for public notices, maintaining permanent records of the municipality, preparation of agendas, minutes and legislation, website/social media administration, and various other duties for Village Council. She serves in multiple additional capacities including Assistant to the Village Administrator, Prevailing Wage Coordinator, BWC Safety Program Coordinator, Public Records Manager and Records Commission Secretary.
SPEAKING AT PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Village of Hebron invites and welcomes citizens to attend our public meetings to hear about issues that come before our boards and Council. Village Council is committed to providing a space for the public to voice concerns about village endeavors, and we feel this can best be achieved by allowing time for everyone to speak yet keeping conversations moving forward, staying on track with the meeting agenda, and respecting the time of all who are in attendance.
While public meetings are a limited forum for discussion of topics pending before Village Council, at times, citizens may feel lengthier discussion is needed. This can be accomplished by calling or emailing our office, and/or scheduling a time to meet in person to discuss your ideas, questions or concerns.
Following rules set forth by the State of Ohio, our Village Solicitor drafted a new policy for speaking at public meetings. Council reviewed and voted to approve this policy at the August 28, 2024 Council Meeting and these guidelines went into effect immediately following the vote of Council. You can read the new policy in its entirety here. We thank you in advance for your efforts to work together to ensure adequate speaking time for all who attend our meetings.
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GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AT
COUNCIL MEETINGS
We appreciate your input on matters that Council is considering, as well as matters of concern to you.
All persons speaking at a Council meeting should identify themselves by providing their name and address.
Near the beginning of Council meetings there is an agenda item described as "Visitor/ Public Comment". This is the time for the public to raise issues, share concerns, or comment on matters that are NOT on the agenda.
For those wishing to comment on matters on the agenda, they should wait until that matter is addressed specifically after the reading of legislation or on motion by council.
Please note the following:
1. The time length for each speaker is limited to five (5) minutes. The speaker will be advised when one (1) minute remains. At the expiration of the time limit the speaker shall cease speaking and yield the podium.
2. No person may assign, allocate, or otherwise allow another person to use their time.
3. The time is intended to permit the speaker to share their thoughts on the pending matter. It is not an interrogation of council members, village employees, mayor, or legal counsel. If a question is directed to a Village department supervisor in attendance, the supervisor may, with the consent of the Mayor, choose to respond. Otherwise, the question will be taken under advisement and addressed later by the appropriate department supervisor.
4. Any speaker, either prior or subsequent to speaking at a meeting may submit written comments, questions, or materials if they were too extensive to get addressed during the speaking time allotment.
5. Comments should be directed to Council, the Mayor, or the appropriate department supervisor, rather than to members of the public, whether attending in person or virtually.
6. Speakers are to conduct themselves with proper decorum. Abusive language, swearing, or threats will not be tolerated. Anyone violating this rule shall forfeit the remainder of their speaking time and may be removed from the meeting. Furthermore, this is not a debate with, or an opportunity to question Council members, the Mayor, or legal counsel.
7. Council members may request the mayor or whomever is presiding over the meeting to allow them to ask questions of a speaker. The five (5) minute includes questions and responses by Council members.
8. Citizens may only speak once during visitor comments period and once to each matter before council.
Note: A meeting of government officials that is open to the public is a limited public forum for discussion of matters relating to the duties of those officials. The public body may place reasonable limitations on the time, place, and manner of public participation.
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View the Village of Hebron Public Records Policy here
This Public Records Request Form may be used to request copies of public records. Please submit in person to Chris Furbee at 934 W. Main Street, or by email to chris.furbee@hebronvillage.org
