Below are my notes from tonight’s meetings…
Committee-of-the-Whole
Matt Riehl proposed an amendment to fix our initiative process, whereby Stow requires 20 percent of the electorate and state law allows for a maximum of 10 percent. I think a lot of us would prefer not to clog up the ballot with an issue that can be solved if my amendment passes. So after mine passed, this one failed 4-3.
When we discussed my amendment (see below), Jim Costello attempted to amend it to require only a supermajority in the resolution, not unanimity, like I requested. I could have voted for it either way, but Jim’s amendment failed 4-3.
Shall the proposed Enactment of Article XIX Section 19.03, entitled “Changes to Charter”, which Enactment reads as follows:
“SECTION 19.03 CHANGES TO CHARTER The Law Director may amend the Charter without ballot approval, for the purpose of striking provisions that are unconstitutional. The Law Director shall make such an amendment only upon: unanimous resolution of the City Council, written approval by the Mayor and written concurrence by at least one outside legal counsel.
be adopted?
Janet proposed and we moved forward a proposal that clarifies Charter Review’s role — to propose amendments, which council must approve. It also provides a deadline by which Charter Review is to present its suggestions.
Law Director Brian Reali’s position is that council MUST approve all of Charter Review’s proposals. Rather than test his theory, Janet and Sara Drew wisely decided to send proposals to Charter Review, who will decide on Monday whether they wish to incorporate them as their own. One is to change the term limit language. The other is for the qualifications of Finance Director (adding degrees in business, management, and public administration). Further, I asked that Charter Review reconsider its proposal for employee residency, because it is an unconstitutional provision that my amendment could cure, if passed.
Council meeting
Two residents spoke out against Wal-Mart to start the meeting.
We gave an accommodation to retired officer Doug Dawes. He’s a great guy. A lot of people made heartfelt remarks.
I voted FOR the Wal-Mart variance. It came down to this: We aren’t in the position to be choosy about who does business here. If we screw around with a business owner, we are liable to have more and more areas like Stow-Kent Shopping Center. Wal-Mart is a nice magnet store, and it will remain one for years.
I voted against paying the lobbyist $20,000. Every indication I’ve heard is that we have basically no chance of getting our proposal through in this term. I don’t want to go into specifics, but the internal politics are making the outlook bleak. I’m not going to spend $20,000 on such a long shot. It passed 4-2-1, with Hickin and me as “no” votes, and Riehl abstaining.
I made an amendment to a resolution in support of the program to eliminate Emerald Ash Borer in trees. I wanted to ensure that the resolution did not back us into a corner financially — that it didn’t commit us to spending money. My amendment was that annual expenditures would have to be approved by council. Predictably, John Pribonic and Sara Drew voted “no” (it would limit government spending, after all). The amendment was passed 5-2. The ordinance as a whole passed 6-1 (Hickin).
We unanimously passed $50,000 in funding for the law firm of Kastner, Westman & Wilkins to negotiate for us. I sincerely doubt we’ll spend anywhere near $50,000, because the mayor rightfully is going to keep the attorneys in the background until it appears we really need them.
We have 11 charter proposals pending. We only gave them one reading tonight. They will get another reading next Thursday at a special meeting. They will get a final reading the week after, when council will vote to pass them onto the ballot, or not. After that, council will be on recess for the rest of August. During that time, I plan to brainstorm with other members of council on ways to save money. At some point, we have to stop having emergency meetings to discuss how bad things are — and DO SOMETHING!
I’m taking the bar exam next week (so I probably won’t attend the special meeting). And yes, I’ve been studying nonstop since May. Thanks to Jim Costello for wishing me luck at the end of the meeting. I’ll let you everyone how the test goes.