CONNEAUT —  Casey Kozlowski's first visit to a Conneaut City Council meeting as a state representative was met with a standing-room crowd — both inside and outside City Hall.

Kozlowski, who represents Ohio's 99th House District, gave a brief report on doings in Columbus at the start of Monday's regular meeting. To reach his seat, however, Kozlowski had to pass by a throng of people vehemently opposed to Senate Bill 5.

More than a dozen school employees, waving signs and wearing anti-SB 5 stickers, stood outside City Hall. When the meeting began, some had taken seats in council chambers, joined by city firefighters, dispatchers and public works employees. Students also were in the audience.

The bill, passed by the Senate and now in the House, would dramatically alter Ohio's collective bargaining laws. Public employees are outraged by the bill and have campaigned loudly against it in the statehouse.

Kozlowski did not address the issue in his brief remarks at the meeting. On Friday, however, Kozlowski told the Star Beacon he had not yet reached a decision on the legislation,  and was anxious to hear debate and comments from both sides.

“On the campaign trail I often heard that people wanted their voices heard (in Columbus),” he said.

Kozlowski said he has received “hundreds” of messages regarding the bill, both in support and against the measure. Amendments are a real possibility, he said.

Outside City Hall, the school employees waves signs as a handful of motorists honked as they drove by. Members of the group said they were anxious to let Kozlowski know their feelings.

After Kozlowski's remarks, Councilman-at-large Neil LaRusch asked about reports that the Lake Erie Correctional Institution may be one of five state prisons offered for sale in Gov. John Kasich's budget, which he will formally unveil today. A sale of the prison could put jobs at risk, LaRusch s aid.

Kozlowski said he has heard similar reports, and if true would work hard to ensure as many LaECI workers retain their jobs as possible.

At the end of Monday's meeting, long after Kozlowski left to began his return trip to Columbus, LaRusch made a motion in favor of a resolution opposed to Senate Bill 5. LaRusch prefaced his request by saying he first thought long and hard about the action, but ultimately decided he was “one of those darn Democrats on the front page.”

Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell said it was difficult for him to vote on a bill he hadn't studied and is still a work in progress.

“What are we cheerleading on?” he asked. “I'm not in a position to vote one way or the other.”

Law Director David Schroeder, in response to a question from Ward 2 Councilman Charles Lewis, said he believed the bill — by limiting what is subject to collective bargaining — would have a financial benefit for the city.

“It seems to streamline the negotiating process,” Schroeder said, eliminating the need for contract consultants like the one that generated controversy — and high fees — last year.

Schroeder also agreed with Campbell that council should know the contents of the bill before taking a stand.

Council President Thomas Udell was slightly angered that LaRusch mentioned Democrats in his remark, saying council has worked well recently with a minimum of overt political influence. “I hate to see politics brought up here,” he said.

LaRusch said he was being passionate, not political. “It's something I feel strongly about,” he said.

Council ultimately approved the motion by a 4-2 vote, with Campbell abstaining. In favor were LaRusch, Councilman-at-Large John Roach, Ward 3 Councilman Greg Mooney and Ward 4 Councilman Thomas Kozesky. Opposed were Lewis and Udell.

Kozlowski told council about various economic development initiatives planned in Columbus; the Common Sense Initiative, which would subject many expenditures to a cost benefit analysis; and other fiscal responsibility measures.