Election |

Election 2021: Nine proposed changes to Willoughby Hills charter on ballot

The Willoughby Hills Charter Review Commission and a subcommittee held 19 meetings over the last seven months.

Two of the meetings were public hearing meetings specifically dedicated to listening to charter improvement suggestions. Additionally, commission members welcomed public input during every meeting.

“They did a great job,” said Mayor Andy Gardner. “They were very thorough despite the obstacles of (the coronavirus) and ultimately proposing nine changes voters can decide if they’re the right thing for our community or not.”

The commission received 50 suggestions on to how to improve the charter. Resources included the Ohio Revised Code, other government officials, residents and business owners.

As a result of this process, all commission members present voted unanimously to place nine proposed amendments on the Nov. 2 ballot.

They are:

If city voters approve Amendment 1, public officials, employees, volunteers, agents and representatives of Willoughby Hills, while acting for the city, will be protected by an Indemnification clause. It will protect them from personal civil liability when acting on behalf of the city with certain stipulations and exclusions. Council would not be able to revoke it without a vote of the people.

If proposed Amendment 2 passes, it would clarify that the mayor is the administrator of all city employees, but not the administrator of council. The mayor’s ability to hire, fire and supervise employees does not extend to members of council or the council clerk.

If proposed Amendment 3 passes, the number of days for the mayor to submit the budget to council prior to the deadline for certifying the budget will increase from 30 to 60. This would allow for more in-depth discussion by council and public input in three consecutive regular council meetings.

If proposed Amendment 4 passes, a council member who loses an election, resigns or is removed from council would not be able to be appointed to a different vacant council seat for at least 180 days from their last day in office.

If proposed Amendment 5 passes, the Civil Service Commission would be required to review and confirm the credentials of only classified employee candidates. Classified positions include the full-time members of the police and fire departments, except for the police and fire chiefs. It is the duty of the mayor to hire employees, which includes ensuring that unclassified employees’ credentials are properly reviewed and confirmed.

If proposed Amendment 6 passes, the number of valid signatures on a petition for a council candidate to appear on the ballot would be 1% of the number of voters in the last general municipal election and for a mayoral candidate would be 4% of the number of voters in the last general municipal election.

If proposed Amendment 7 passes, the number of signatures needed to recall an elected official would be 20% of the number of voters in the last general municipal election.

If proposed Amendment 8 passes, post-election runoff for mayoral candidates will be eliminated and the charter will conform to federal law. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act requires absentee ballots to be sent 46 days prior to an election. Currently, the mayoral runoff election must be held 42 days following the election, which is four days short of this requirement.

This change will align with the process used to elect members of council, as the candidate with the most votes will be elected.

If proposed Amendment 9 passes, the charter will clarify that the mayor is the administrator of all city employees, but not the administrator of council in regard to removing officers or employees. This section of the charter is specific to removal from office. This amendment aligns the language across the charter relative to the mayoral duties and responsibilities as mentioned in proposed Amendment 2.

Commission members will present the proposed amendments and answer questions at 7 p.m., Oct. 13, at Willoughby Hills Community Center, 35400 Chardon Road. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting for more information on the proposed amendments.