WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 4, 2009
REGULAR
MEETING
8:55
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Smith called the meeting to order at 8:55 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Smith were present. Mr. Wisniewski was absent due to an illness in his family. Others present were Tim Hansley, Lynda Yartin, Jeff Fix, Tricia Sanders, and Phil Hartmann.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 14, 2009, Regular Meeting. Mrs. Hammond moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:
A. Review and discussion regarding proposed revisions to the City Charter. Mr. Smith stated he had prepared a proposed Charter review timeline, however, he did not want to have a long discussion since Mr. Wisniewski was not present. Mr. Smith stated he was proposing that Council set up one or two work sessions during the February and March timeframe to have Mr. Hartmann take Council through the changes to the Charter that Rules Committee has come up with during their review over the past year. He stated then in May we could advertise for volunteers for a Charter Review Commission, interview the applicants in June, and seat the Commission in July to work on the Charter until January 2010. He stated then in February 2010, Council could adopt a resolution to put the proposed revisions on the ballot in either May or November of 2010. Mr. Smith stated this would allow a thorough review of the Charter and not have anyone rushing to get it on the ballot. Mr. Smith stated this would also allow for Council to propose any additional revisions or voice disagreement to the revisions proposed by Rules Committee. Mr. Smith stated he felt that approximately 70 percent of the revisions proposed by Rules Committee were minor in nature such as spelling corrections or administrative type revisions. Mr. Hartmann clarified that all Council members had received the redline copy of the Charter, a copy of the Charter as it now stands, and a copy of his memorandum discussing the major revisions proposed by Rules Committee. Mr. Smith stated, if possible, he would like to set a date for the first work session of Council. Mr. Smith suggested a Council work session for March 2, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Fix, and Mrs. Sanders all agreed this would be a good date. Mr. Smith stated he would bring this up during his Rules Committee report at the next Council meeting to ensure everyone agreed to that date.
B. Review and discussion regarding proposed amendments to Ordinance 2004-28 regarding filing of financial disclosure forms by City Manager, Law Director, Finance Director, and City Engineer. Mr. Smith stated Mr. Hartmann had provided a draft amending this ordinance to remove the requirement for employees of Council to file the Financial Disclosure Statement. Mr. Hartmann stated that was correct, he had removed the requirement for anyone who was not required under state law to file these forms. He stated should the state law change and require specific individuals to file this form, then that would be allowed. Mr. Hansley stated he did not see any value to this requirement and Mrs. Hammond stated she agreed she did not see the point to this. Mr. Hansley stated he would point out that these are all at-will employees and if they are doing something unethical, they can be terminated, suspended, or whatever Council determines. Mrs. Hammond stated the ordinance still contains the requirement for general standards of ethical conduct and the only change would be the removal of the requirement for these employees to file the Financial Disclosure Form with the Ohio Ethics Commission. Mr. Smith moved to approve the amended ordinance to Council; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
4. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Smith stated had nothing further to bring forward.
5. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Review and request for motion to reappoint Tim Wagner to the Personnel Appeals Board. Mr. Smith stated Mr. Wagner’s appointment on the Personnel Appeals Board will be expiring and with the realignment of duties for that Board to include acting as the Tax Appeals Board Mr. Wagner has requested he be reappointed to another term. Mrs. Hammond stated she had discussed this with Mr. Wisniewski and they both support this reappointment. Mr. Smith moved to reappoint Tim Wagner to the Personnel Appeals Board; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
6. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mrs. Hammond moved to adjourn; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Smith voted "Aye." Motion carried, 2-0. The Rules Committee adjourned at 9:10 P.M, February 4, 2009.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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