by Mariana Silva | Reporter
Munroe Falls --Munroe Falls voters approved seven amendments to the city charter on Nov. 6, according to the Summit County Board of Elections final but unofficial results.
The amendments change the commencement date for a mayor's term, define a mayoral permanent vacancy, define a mayoral temporary absence, define the rights and responsibilities of the president of Council, clarify a four-year term for member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, expand the number of members of the Park Board, establish a three-year term for member of the Park Board and clarify the procedure to appoint members to the city's commissions and board.
The changes are effective within 30 days.
"It was time to set up things for the future," said President of Council Sam Busic. "So many times in government situations come up and the charter is mute about it."
Busic said the changes proposed by the Charter Review Commission and City Council will help to avoid situations in which the charter is of no help if an emergency or problem were to happen.
Issue 20 establishes Jan.1 as the commencement date for the office of the mayor, which would be aligned with the first day for new City Council members. The commencement date for the office of the mayor was Jan. 2.
The issue passed with 2,091 residents (80.55 percent) voting yes and 505 (19.45 percent) voting no.
Issue 21 and issue 22 respectively establish the difference between a permanent vacancy and a temporary absence in the office of the mayor. For example, a case of illness would be a temporary vacancy. Death or resignation would be considered permanent vacancies.
The issue 21 passed with 1,508 (60.51 percent) voting yes and 984 (39.49 percent) voting no.
Issue 22 passed with 1,701 (68.48 percent) voting yes and 783 (31.52 percent) voting no.
Issue 23 further defines the rights and responsibilities of the president of Council in the event he or she must serve as acting mayor. The amendment establishes that, while serving as acting mayor, the president of Council may only cast a vote if needed to break a tie.
Issue 23 also clarifies that in the event a mayor dies or resigns, the president of Council will serve as acting mayor until a successor would be elected during the first regular election. The amendment also clarifies that in the event a mayor dies or resigns within one year or less of his or her term, the president of Council or vice president of Council would serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
The issue passed with 1,990 (78.81 percent) voting yes and 535 (21.19 percent) voting no.
Issue 24 clarifies that those appointed to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission are to serve four-year terms in a staggered manner.
The issue passed with 1,938 (77.96 percent) voting yes and 548 (22.04 percent) voting no.
Issue 25 allows the city's Park and Recreation Board to welcome nine volunteer members who will each serve a three-year term. Currently there are five park board members who serve for five years in staggered terms.
The issue passed with 1,339 (53.2 percent) voting yes and 1,178 (46.8 percent) voting no.
According to the park board, more members would allow the board to expand its programs and events, and shorter terms would encourage more people to volunteer for the board.
Issue 26, clarifies that a mayor must present potential volunteers and members of boards and commissions individually when appointing new members and volunteers for City Council's approval.
The issue passed with 1,826 (75.36 percent) voting yes and 597 (24.64 percent) voting no.
City Council members want to clarify the amendment so they are given the opportunity to review potential members individually instead of having to approve or reject an entire group at once without properly reviewing every individual's capabilities and skills to serve.
Email: msilva@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-541-9429
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