Media Advisory

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA ADVISORY   For Immediate Release: June 22, 2010   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

PRESIDENT MENTEL APPOINTS CHARTER

REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

 

(Columbus)—City Council President Michael C. Mentel has appointed a panel of highly regarded civic leaders to review the Columbus City Charter and consider recommendations to clarify open meeting provisions.  The Ohio Revised Code mandates all meetings of a public body must be open.  However, under limited circumstances such as matters pertaining to sensitive legal negotiations involving a public body, personnel deliberations, subjects that must be kept confidential per federal law, regulations or state statutes, security arrangements and emergency response protocols, state law allows public bodies to enter into executive session.

 

“Columbus is one of only two political subdivisions in Franklin County that does not have clear language delineating when public meetings are legally required,” said President Mentel.  “I am eager to hear from the Charter Review Committee on their recommendations to update our charter and bring Columbus into the mainstream with other municipalities and legislative bodies.”

 

Any recommendations of the Charter Review Committee to amend language in the charter would require a vote of Council and ultimately a vote of the electors of the city of Columbus.  Last year, the communities of New Albany and Hilliard passed ballot issues that clarified their open meeting requirements.

 

Larry James, partner at Crabbe, Brown & James LLP, has agreed to chair the committee that includes City Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian, Leonard Hubert, Patricia Powell, and Fran Ryan.

 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Charter Review Committee to come up with recommendations that will help ensure city government continues to operate in the most open and efficient manner possible,” said Mr. James.

 

The committee is expected to report their findings to President Mentel and the rest of City Council by the end of July.

 

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