Plain City officials are on their way to codifying changes brought about by the charter, but one council member does not feel they should all be made formal legislation.
Council heard the first readings of 13 ordinances that would enact laws related to governmental changes laid out in the charter, which residents approved in a March election.
The majority revolve around administrative changes that clarify position responsibilities and update Plain City’s organizational structure.
Council member Frank Reed argued that nine of the ordinances should be council rules rather than formal legislation.
“It does no good to cut and paste from the charter to ordinances,” he said.
Reed spoke specifically against an ordinance that would establish the time and place of council meetings.
He claimed codifying the details surrounding open meetings would make it “too difficult to change” them if necessary.
Solicitor Paul Lafayette said this information must be established by a council rule, but is not required to be approved as an ordinance. However, he said the goal should be to give residents “the most notice possible,” so there is no prohibition against adopting a related ordinance.
Mayor Jody Carney agreed that the new ordinances often include language directly from the charter to “make it as plain as day” for residents.
Still, Reed recommended either deleting the proposed ordinance or keeping the ordinance but simply including a reference to the charter instead of reprinting the same language.
Lafayette agreed that “we don’t need to duplicate” everything from the charter.
Especially in the case of ordinances which establish positions responsibilities and duties, though, Lafayette said he “wouldn’t eliminate those sections altogether.”
He explained that council can delegate additional responsibilities to individuals in those roles, so at least the “placeholders” for those positions should remain.
Reed also expressed opposition to an ordinance that would update practices and procedures.
“They should not ever be codified,” he said, adding that he will vote against this measure.
The charter will establish a new board to which staff can appeal formal reprimands and other, similar action. Reed said the proposed ordinance to create the Personnel Appeals Board does not offer enough detail.
“I’m terribly disappointed in this ordinance,” he said.
Carney noted that a charter transition committee was formed following the passage of the document. The group consisted of council members and charter committee members, who were elected to write the charter.
She said administration provided the committee with redlined versions of legislation to thoroughly review. The related ordinances were proposed following their approval.
“Everything, basically, is there and has been vetted,” she said of the legislation on their agenda.
Reed said that does not affect the authority of council.
“We’re not obligated to automatically accept them,” he said.
In fact, Reed said he felt there needed to be a motion to even consider the proposed ordinances on the agenda.
Lafayette clarified that council determines its own rules for setting the agenda.
Council President John Rucker said Plain City Council allows the chair – in this case, the mayor – to set the agenda. From there, council can choose whether or not they would like to act on agenda items.
Carney emphasized that, regardless of what is added to the agenda, the current three-reading process provides council with an opportunity to discuss the proposed legislation and vet items themselves.
Council member Michael Terry suggested beginning each meeting with a motion to accept the agenda. He said this would “satisfy everyone” in the future.
Carney agreed to add it to upcoming agendas.
Second and third readings of the proposed ordinances surrounding the charter will be heard at council’s next two meetings before votes are cast.
In other business:
– Council approved a recommendation from Carney to appoint Libbi Gallagher to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.
– Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said the Villa Drive water main project will likely be completed by early next week. He said the portion of the Gay Street project north of the bridge should be finished in the next week-and-a-half, after which paving will begin.
– Preparations for pool season are “in full swing,” Cahall said. He added that the pool will be filled next week so that chemical balancing and health department inspections can be completed.