PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS

The North Ridgeville Charter was first adopted in 1961. It is the legal framework through which our City exercises its powers of self-government.  

A Charter Review Committee, consisting of nine North Ridgeville residents, convened earlier this year for the purpose of conducting a review of the Charter and presenting alterations, revisions and amendments they deemed advisable. As a result of their work, on November 8, North Ridgeville voters will be asked to consider eight changes to the Charter.

Before casting your vote, learn more about these eight ballot issues and why the Charter Review Committee felt these amendments are important for the community.

CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE

Shall a new Department of Finance be created by amending Article IV, The Auditor, and repealing Article VI, The Treasurer, of the City of North Ridgeville Charter?

This amendment would combine the duties and responsibilities of the City’s current Auditor’s office and Treasurer’s office into a single Department of Finance. The benefits of such a merger would be to streamline administrative services, create efficiencies, alleviate the challenges associated with overlapping responsibilities and bring cohesiveness to the City’s finance team.

Issue 30

Shall Section 9.7 of Article IX of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended by deleting an unworkable mathematical formula, and mandating referral to the electorate of any rezoning to any Multiple Family Residence District?

Currently, the Charter contains a mathematical formula to determine when property can be considered for rezoning to any multi-family residential use. This formula is subject to conflicting interpretations and is unworkable in application; therefore, it is recommended to be deleted. With this amendment, any proposed rezoning to Multiple Family Residence District will continue to be subject to mandatory referral and require approval by the voters. Mixed use zoning, involving a combination of residential and non-residential uses, would be able to be legislatively approved by Council. This amendment would allow the City to pursue creation of a “town center” concept with a mix of retail, restaurants, offices and apartments.

Issue 31

Shall Article III of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended by adding a new Section 3.18 allowing City Council to make provisions by ordinance for the sale, lease, or disposal of municipal real estate and improvements?

Currently, the Charter has no rules governing the sale or lease of City-owned real estate. In the absence of local provisions, the City must follow the requirements outlined in the Ohio Revised Code. By developing our own procedures for the sale or lease of municipal real estate, the City would gain greater control over future development of its land, helping to ensure it’s used in the best interests of the North Ridgeville community.

Issue 32

Shall Section 3.8 of Article III of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended by prohibiting the Clerk of Council from acting as Auditor and creating a chain of command in the Clerk’s absence?

Currently, the Charter allows for the Clerk of Council to also serve as the Auditor, who is the City’s chief financial officer. The duties of Clerk of Council and Auditor, and the skills required for these positions, are vastly different. This amendment would strike out the language allowing the Clerk of Council to serve as Auditor. Additionally, the amendment would establish a clear chain of command for the Clerk of Council’s office when the Clerk of Council is absent, unable to perform his/her duties or in cases where the position is temporarily vacant.

Issue 33

Shall Section 10.3 of Article X of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended to clarify which employees are classified and unclassified and to comply with State law?

The Charter categorizes all city employees into either the classified or unclassified service. Civil service is an area governed and regulated by the State of Ohio. This amendment would make clarifications regarding these categories in order to comply with State law.

Issue 34

Shall Section 3.5 of Article III of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended to allow appointed members of Council be elected as Council President?

Currently, when there is a vacancy in the office of the President of Council, only Council members elected by the people can be considered to fill the position. This amendment would allow for a Council member who was not elected, but appointed to fill a Council vacancy, to also be considered for Council President.

Issue 35

Shall Section 3.16 of Article III of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended to maintain electronic media as a form of publication and eliminate the mandated use of the lobby bulletin board?

This amendment would remove the requirement that Council’s resolutions, ordinances, meeting notices, reports, etc., be physically posted on a bulletin board in the lobby of City Hall. All required notices would continue to be publicly accessible through electronic media (website, email, etc.). The intent of the change is to ensure adequate public notice while eliminating an outdated form of communication.

Issue 36

Shall Section 9.1 of Article IX of the Charter of the City of North Ridgeville be amended to maintain electronic media as a form of publication and eliminate the mandated use of the lobby bulletin board?

This amendment would remove the requirement that public hearing notices for building and zoning ordinances be physically posted on a bulletin board in the lobby of City Hall. All required notices would continue to be published in the newspaper, directly mailed to property owners in the vicinity of any proposed rezoning and/or made publicly accessible through electronic media (website, email, etc.), as required in the Charter. The intent of the change is to ensure adequate public notice while eliminating an outdated form of communication.