08/20/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 8/20/2002 this firm. Although she did not work on this case, he felt that he should abstain from the 'mow vote as he had also abstained from any discussion, deliberation or review of the legislation.) Resolution No. 2002-94 was adopted. Ordinance No. 2002-99 introduced by Councilman Gareau was given its third reading. An ordinance providing for the submission to the electors of the City of North Olmsted of an amendment to Article III (The Mayor) of the Charter of the City of North Olmsted to authorize elected first-term mayors to make interim director appointments, and declaring an emergency as amended. Councilman Gareau moved for adoption, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Miller. The motion passed with six yes votes and one no vote cast by Councilman Dailey. (Councilman Dailey commented that he was voting no on all the Charter amendments just as he did two weeks ago for the same reason: Until we know the cost to the city for placing these amendments on the ballot, he cannot in good conscience help the city incur any additional cost while in the current financial condition. Even though he is a sponsor of one of the Charter amendments, he cannot add any cost to the city, especially at the potential expense of school crossing guards and the safety of our most precious gift, the children.) Ordinance No. 2002-99 was adopted. Ordinance No. 2002-100 introduced by Councilman Dailey and Councilman Limpert was given its third reading. An ordinance providing for the submission to the electors of the City of North Olmsted of an amendment to Article III, Section 5(a) of the Charter of the City of North Olmsted in order to eliminate the Charter requirement that the Mayor obtain the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of Council prior to removing from office the Director of Public Service, the Director of Public Safety, the Director of Human Resources, or the heads of any other city departments or divisions created by Charter and appointed by the Mayor, and declaring an emergency. Councilman Limpert moved for adoption, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Dailey. Council Members Limpert and McKay voted yes and Council Members Dailey, Gareau, Kasler, Miller and Nashar voted no. (Councilman Dailey said his reasons for voting no were the same as for Ordinance 2002-99.) (Councilman Gareau said he was voting no as the Charter amendment, if passed, would reverse in total a 40-year administrative policy in our city regarding the power of the executive to discharge without cause the Directors of Service, Safety and Human Resources. Until this time such authority resides with the Mayor but has always been subjected to 213 vote of Council to ratify the dismissal. He is voting no for these reasons: He agrees with the wise words of former Safety Director Thomas Jenkins who has a keen insight on this particular issue. Mr. Jenkins remarked that a political system of persons capable of being removed at the pleasure of the Mayor promotes a system of political patronage as opposed to public service. Mr. Jenkins further remarked that it encourages an advisory regimen that looks more to job security than the best interests of the residents. He sees no reason to invite into our community the form of government lamented by Mr. Jenkins. Second, the system has worked well for over 40 years, and he sees no reason to adopt the massive overhaul proposed in this ordinances. He does not agree with it. Lastly, as far as he can tell, this issue has no timely foundation in any real controversy. It seems more a Charter amendment for the sake of amending the Charter than it does a Charter amendment that would advance and promote sound principles of good government based upon actual experience and 16