Hearing on public commenting policy for Monroe County’s board of health: Just one person speaks

The Monroe County Board of Health held a meeting Monday afternoon (July 14) for the sole purpose of hearing public comment, as board members seek input about the public comment policy draft that was made public last month.

Five health board members attended the meeting, which was held in the Nat U. Hill Room in order to accommodate a large public showing. But just one public comment was offered, by a virtual participant on Microsoft Teams who identified himself as Ernie Frazo.

During the meeting, board chair Dawne (Aurora) DiOrio said that the board received several emails regarding the policy. She told The B Square that of the ten or so emails the board received after the draft was discussed at the board's last regular meeting in June, most have been constructive suggestions, in support of the policy, including minor wording tweaks and clarifications.

DiOrio said that the policy isn’t changing the way public comment is heard. Rather, it simply puts the process in writing. In a statement that opened the meeting, DiOrio said, “We’ve operated for decades with an informal procedure of allowing public comment at all regular board meetings with speakers able to discuss any topic for a three minute period.

“This new draft further describes procedures for speaking, both in-person and virtually at our board meetings, reinforces the board’s commitment to receiving input from the public, creates a new method for receiving input through our email address, and sets standards of conduct for speakers.”

The draft policy includes procedures for public comment: a three-minute time limit, a requirement that oral comments pertain to “health issues within the Board’s jurisdiction,” and no tolerance for “personal attacks, slurs and insults, profanity, or disruptive behavior.” The policy also allows the board chair to issue warnings and/or remove individuals who violate conduct rules.

The policy also contains a section regarding virtual participation. Virtual attendees on Teams can raise their hands to request to speak, and comments will alternate between in-person and virtual participants. Virtual attendees also have to state their legal name and turn on their camera when recognized to speak.

Frazo, the community member who commented during the meeting, commended the board for pursuing the policy. He asked the board to allow time for public comments with each agenda item, rather than just one block of time.

The board developed the new draft policy after receiving several public comments at meetings critical of board members and staff in connection the closure of the Futures Family Planning Clinic last year.

DiOrio told The B Square that she wasn’t anticipating more public participation at Monday’s meeting. Board member Stephen Pritchard agreed: “I’m actually surprised we even had one [commenter].”

Frazo also said in his public comment that he appreciated that in the Nat U. Hill Room, board members aren’t seated around a table but can face the audience. DiOrio told The B Square that the health board is “kind of stuck in the Health Department, and it’s kind of a stinky space.” But, after experiencing the Nat U. Hill Room, she continued, “We’re at least going to ask the question: Is it possible for us to hold our board meetings here?”

DiOrio said that the public comment policy will appear on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled board meeting, on Thursday (July 17). The agenda item will be based on an updated draft policy to be created based on the feedback the board has received, she said.