The Hudson County Board of Commissioners advanced an ordinance last week that would prevent tabling agenda items before public comment occurs.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
The board voted unanimously (9-0) to introduce the ordinance, which was sponsored by County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2).
During the public comment portion on agenda items, West New York resident Mark Bloomberg inquired about the changes present in the ordinance.
“It would be great if we could actually get copies of them today before we leave the meeting, especially since one of them pertains to speaking at future meetings,” Bloomberg said.
“It’s very difficult for the public to get ordinances in advance. So it’d be great if we could get copies beforehand rather than waiting a little further.”
Before O’Dea voted to introduce the ordinance, he read it out loud to clarify any questions raised by residents.
“It’s in response to last meeting that we had and a commitment I made,” O’Dea said, proceeding to read the entire ordinance aloud.
“The participation of members of the public in the meetings of the board of county commissioners is an essential part of the process. According to the ordinance, the board wishes to ensure the opportunity of participation to the public for all matters appearing on the agenda at the start of each meeting.”
Further, the ordinance states that no item listed on a commissioner public meeting agenda can be tabled, carried, pulled, or withdrawn until the public has had an opportunity to comment or speak during the period designated for participation on agenda items only.
The ordinance was proposed by O’Dea after the previous commissioners meeting, where residents were upset that the board had removed an agenda item they came to speak on before the public portion to speaks on those items.
That was regarding the planned automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras to be installed on light poles under county jurisdiction in Weehawken.
That resolution was tabled at the request of Mayor Richard Turner following public outcry about data privacy and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, according to Board Chair Anthony Romano (D-5).
When speakers tried to address the subject during the public portion for agenda items, they were stopped Romano since the measures they sought to speak about were technically no longer on the agenda.
Romano told residents they could speak in general public comment portion if they signed up in advance, but some speakers and O’Dea noted that if they didn’t sign up, they would be unable to speak.
O’Dea made a motion at last week’s meeting to allow speakers to still make remarks on the tabled resolution for ALPR cameras in Weehawken, but it failed after no other board member seconded it.