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Charter changes proposed for Canal Winchester
(by Linda Dillman - July 07, 2010)
In 1995, Canal Winchester voters approved a village charter guiding the way they wanted their municipality to function. Fifteen years later, voters face approving updates to the charter-one that will guide the village as it crosses the threshold to city status.
Charter Commission and Canal Winchester Council met in a joint session July 6 to discuss proposed changes before council gives its final approval to place the amendments on the fall ballot.
Commission Chairman William Ray said, while the majority of the changes are "housekeeping" issues, such as language clarification, there are a few proposed additions.
"One is to allow a village director to live outside of the community and give them the chance to serve in their own community," Ray said.
According to the present charter, the director of public works and the streets and utilities superintendents are required to be a Canal Winchester resident within six months of their appointment. The amendment proposes to remove that employment clause.
To align the charter with state code, the department of public works would become the department of public service. Director Matt Peoples said the difference was in name only.
"We've also made changes in (contract) bidding that will hopefully expedite the process and save the village some money," said Ray.
The commission proposed striking much of the language under contracting powers and procedures, thus freeing the village to pursue more options for municipal projects, such as design-build, which allows Canal Winchester to enter an agreement with a general contractor instead of bidding individual trades.
"When council deems appropriate, you can waive competitive bidding," said Finance Director Nanisa Osborn. "This clearly gives council the ability, but you still have to pass an ordinance."
Continuing to favor a strong mayor- council format, the charter does contain a provision for a city administrator, who would assist the mayor in day-to-day operations. The position-in all aspects-is subject to the control, direction, and supervision of the mayor and the individual may also serve as head of a department.
"It's creating a position," said commission member William Bennett. "It adds another position under the mayor and is there whether there's a change in the mayor or not-whenever you decide to put this into the budget. We wanted to leave it open for when the mayor and council felt it was necessary."
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