Green Charter Review Commission Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Green Charter Review Commission met on February 9, 2026, at 5:31 PM in Council Chambers to review Article IV (Council) of the City Charter and continue discussion on unfinished business from previous meetings. The commission approved the January 28, 2026 minutes with amendments, discussed proposed modernizations to notification and publication procedures, and deferred several items for further research and law director input.

Consent Calendar

• None. The approval of minutes required a motion and roll call vote after discussion, so it is not considered consent.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Minutes (Jan 28, 2026): Commissioner Knapp noted that the draft minutes inaccurately reflected his position on term limits; he clarified that he reads the charter as allowing indefinite service after sitting out four years. A second correction clarified a reference to the Ohio Revised Code ethics code definition for qualifications. The minutes were approved as amended on a unanimous roll call.
• Review of Article IV – Council: The commission systematically went through Sections 4.1 through 4.15.
  • 4.2 Wards: Discussion used Census data; the city’s population has grown modestly since 1992 (21,169) to 27,778 in 2020.
  • 4.3 Qualifications: Noted that the term “public office” appears and will need definition when an index is created.
  • 4.6 Vacancies: A commissioner raised a practical problem with the 90-day deadline for filling vacancies before municipal elections—candidate petitions must usually be submitted 90 days prior, leaving no time. The commission agreed to research board of elections practices.
  • 4.8 Regular and Special Meetings: The clause requiring written notice “by leaving a copy thereof at their usual place of residence” was discussed. Consensus to update to “personally or by email with read receipt” and strike the residence delivery language. The clerk will gather best practices from other communities.
  • 4.9 Legislative Procedures – Committee Reports: The charter requires committee recommendations in writing. Current practice relies on oral reports and video minutes. Commissioners debated whether to change the requirement to “recorded” or reinforce the written practice; no final decision, but noted as a point to revisit.
  • 4.11 Publication of Ordinances and Resolutions: The commission agreed to modernize by adding a 30-day posting on the city website and keeping a two-week newspaper publication. Physical posting will shift from “five public places” to the city hall lobby. An emergency exception was discussed but deemed unnecessary.
  • 4.13 Compensation and Bonds: Discussion touched on council salary ($8,000/year) and health insurance benefits. History of failed salary increase attempts was reviewed; no proposals made tonight.
  • 4.14 Franchises: Commissioners questioned whether the term “franchise” remains relevant given changes in cable and cell tower regulation. The franchise fees still provide revenue (approx. $70,000/year). The issue will be added to questions for the law director.
  • 4.15 Council Relationship to Administrative Officers: Discussion clarified that council must direct inquiries to the mayor, not directly to department heads, consistent with the charter’s executive chain.
• Unfinished Business: Items from prior meetings (2.4 Form of Government, 3.1 Term of Office, 3.2 Qualifications, 3.3 Powers of the Mayor, 3.4 Vacancy in Office of Mayor) were carried forward without new votes. The commission will compile and prioritize all proposed changes at a later date.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve the January 28, 2026 minutes as amended passed unanimously (5-0).
• Several draft revisions were discussed but no formal votes taken on Article IV text changes tonight; the commission will continue deliberation at future meetings.
• Unfinished business items remain open and will be revisited.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.