Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 206.01, 206.03, 206.05, 206.06 AND 206.07, OF CHAPTER 206, "PUBLIC MEETINGS," OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Executive Summary: In light of the recent move of City offices from the Town Hall to the Municipal Services Center, along with technological advances since the last update, staff has reviewed existing language in Chapter 206 regarding meeting notifications and has proposed amendments for Council's consideration.
Body
Legislative History
Chapter 206, Public Meetings, of the Codified Ordinances was previously a codification of Ordinance 75-76, passed January 5, 1976, which was repealed in its entirety, and re-enacted by Ordinance 94-22, passed April 18, 1994.
Purpose & Explanation
The Ohio Revised Code requires that the City have a rule establishing a reasonable method whereby a member of the public may determine the time and place of regular meetings of all City boards, commissions, committees, and Council. Per the City Solicitor, City Council should decide what method(s) is absolutely necessary for such notice. The ORC gives Council wide discretion to determine the method. Examples might be posting on the City's website, cable TV channel, at Town Hall, and/or at the new City administrative center. He suggests the rule (ordinance) specify the website and the Clerk of Council's Office.
In compliance with the existing Code, it has been the practice to post notice of public meetings on the bulletin board in the lobby of Town Hall, located at 27 East Main Street, Hudson, Ohio, "in an area accessible to the public during usual business hours." Since the lobby is no longer accessible to the public during the day, meeting notices have been taped to the window of the front door.
With technological advances since the last update, staff proposes changes to this Section of the Code to include notifications posted to the City's website and e-mail notifications through the City's subscriber-based website feature.
Proposed amendments are shown on the attached document.
In addition, Hudson Cable TV publishes a list of public meetings on its 'Community Bulletin Board' (Channel 17). Furthermore, staff acknowledges that the proposed updated Ordinance does not prevent the Clerk from posting notices of public meetings at other locations as desired by City Council.
Timing Considerations
Implementation immediately upon passage.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council approve this Ordinance, thus providing reasonable notification of public meetings as required by Ohio Revised Code.
Submitted by,
Elizabeth Slagle, Clerk of Council
Jody Roberts, Communications Manager
Scott Schroyer, Assistant City Manager
Anthony J. Bales, City Manager