RULES COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2010

 

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Fix called the meeting to order at 8:40 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Fix and Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Blair were present.  No members were absent.  Others present were Mayor O’Brien, Bill Vance, Lynda Yartin, Tricia Sanders, Tony Barletta, Brian Sauer, Brian Wisniewski, and Cristie Hammond. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF September 14, 2010, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Blair moved to approve; Mr. Fix seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Blair, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

3.         SCHEDULED MATTERS:

 

            A.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending Section 220.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Pickerington, The Administrative Code, entitled, “Committees.”  Mr. Fix stated Mayor O’Brien and Mr. Vance had put together an ordinance based on the Strategic Plan and he would like all of Council to comment on it so they can come to a consensus that can be passed with two readings at the December 21st Council meeting so it is ready for the reorganization in January.  Mr. Fix stated he appreciated the effort of Mayor O’Brien and Mr. Vance, and in reading through the ordinance he had three comments.  First, Building Codes and inspection were included in the Public Safety and Community Affairs Committee, formerly the Safety Committee, and he felt that because that is part of the building process it would be more appropriate to have that included in the City Planning, Projects and Services Committee.  He stated that while there is a safety component to doing building inspections it was more appropriate as a part of the building process.  All members concurred with this change.  Mr. Fix stated further in subparagraph (c) Composition of Committees, Finance Committee is chaired by the President of Council and the Service Committee and Safety Committee Chairs serve on that Committee.  Mr. Fix stated for some reason the Safety Chair was removed and the Chair of Rules Committee was put in that position.  Mayor O’Brien stated he thought was just a typographical error on his part and it should be the Safety Chairperson.  Mayor O’Brien stated we currently list those three committee positions on Finance Committee, however, we currently have all seven council members serve on that committee.  He stated his question would be if we should legislate that Finance Committee be comprised of all seven members or do we leave it to the discretion of each elected body during the reorganization.  Mr. Wisniewski stated he would prefer to have Finance as all seven members as this has served Council well over the past several years.  Mr. Sauer stated he concurred with Mr. Wisniewski.  Mr. Fix stated he would request the ordinance then be amended to include all seven Council members as members of Finance Committee.  Mr. Fix stated his final comment was that the Council Representative from Safety Committee to the Parks and Recreation Board was not included in this draft ordinance and he questioned if that was something that Council would like to have included.  Mr. Barletta stated he is the current representative to the Parks and Recreation Board and he felt it was beneficial.  Mrs. Sanders stated she concurred and as we are going to put more emphasis on that Board it is nice to have that voice to come back to Council.  Mr. Fix stated then it appeared everyone would like to have this special assignment added back into the ordinance. 

 

            Mrs. Hammond stated she had no problem with the ordinance, however, she did feel the titles of the Committees should be shortened. 

 

            Mr. Fix stated this has had one reading at Council, however, this Committee’s recommendations can be included in a new ordinance and it can be amended by substitution at the next Council meeting.  Mrs. Sanders clarified then that Rules Committee would not schedule a work session prior to Council as had been previously suggested. 

 

            Mr. Blair moved to forward the amended ordinance to Council; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Fix, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Blair voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

4.         CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Fix stated he had nothing to bring forward. 

 

5.         OTHER BUSINESS:  Mayor O’Brien stated he has received comments from the public on the lack of discussion as council goes through the agenda during Council meetings.  Mayor O’Brien stated perhaps after the item is listed on the agenda there can be a brief explanation of the ordinance or something.  Mr. Fix stated in the past once the title was read the sponsor would give a brief explanation and perhaps going back to that practice by having someone give an explanation would be appropriate.  Mr. Wisniewski stated he did not see a problem with that on the first reading, but he did not feel it had to be done on each reading.  Mr. Wisniewski stated if someone wanted background they can go back to the minutes.  Mr. Barletta stated he agreed that a brief synopsis when an ordinance is introduced would be a good idea.  Mayor O’Brien stated he would just appreciate Council thinking about this issue.  

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Wisniewski moved to adjourn; Mr. Fix seconded the motion.  Mr. Fix, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Blair voted "Aye."  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Rules Committee adjourned at 9:00 P.M, December 8, 2010. 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk