Civil War Timeline.

VILLAGE OF CHAGRIN FALLS
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION
May 9, 2006

Members present: Champlin, Bodwell, Schmidt, Hubbard
Also present: Himes, Byron, Brosius

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Lydia Champlin

The duties prescribed by the Charter for the Chief Administrative Officer were discussed. The specific exclusion of operation of the public cemeteries was reviewed. Mrs. Champlin asked if the contraction for electrical inspection with South Russell would effect the Charter which names the CAO as the Building Inspector of the Municipality. Mr. Himes said that he would remain as the chief building officer and any employees of the department would work under his supervision. The effect of the new state law regulating municipal building departments was discussed. No changes were recommended for Article VI of the Charter.

Charter provisions for Police and Fire Officers were reviewed. The Police Chief stated that he did not have any reason to request any changes. The Law Director explained that Charter allows removal of officers for causes specified in the Ohio Revised Code. This provides protection from political removal to the officers and complies with state law. No Changes were recommended.

The Director of Law section was reviewed and no changes were recommended.

The Municipal Engineer’s removal is subject only to the “concurrence of a majority of council” and Mr. Bodwell asked if it is appropriate to remove the Mayor from the removal process. Other department heads are subject to removal by the Mayor with councils consent. Mr. Himes said he would retrieve the original ordinance to make sure a typographical error did not occur during codification.

Mr. Byron recommended consideration of providing the Council with administrative authority in the Charter to act on variances and appeals. This authority is lacking in the Charter but is provided by zoning ordinance. He also suggested that a technical flaw exists in the title of Article IX, section 3. The term Declaration of Candidacy is used by the elections board to define write in candidates. While the title has no effect on the meaning of the section it is incorrectly titled. The Charter as it is written does not allow for write in candidates. Mr. Byron also suggested that a “Report of the Charter Review Commission” would be a good and helpful tool for council and the general public if and when any changes are forwarded to the Council and electorate.

The minutes from the April 25, 2006 meeting were reviewed and approved.

The next meeting will be held on May 23rd at 7:00PM with the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and on May 30th the Architectural Review Board will be discussed. Mr. Himes was asked by Mrs. Champlin to notify the various boards and individuals of the schedule. Mr. Bodwell said that council should attend the meetings with the Architectural Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals so they understand the issues that may be forwarded to them.

The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

____________________________
Lydia Champlin, Chairman
bth
 

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