CH appoints 15 to charter review commission

At its Oct. 16 meeting, members of Cleveland Heights City Council named 15 appointees to the city's Charter Review Commision. They are: Patrycia Ajdukiewicz, Jessica Cohen, Craig Cobb, Michael Gaynier, C. Randolph Keller, Howard Maier, John Newman Jr., David Perelman, Carla Rautenberg, Vince Reddy, Maia Rucker, Allosious Snodgrass, Katherine Solender, James Vail and Sarah West.

Cleveland Heights voters originally adopted the city's charter in 1921. The document defines the organization, powers, functions and essential procedures of the city's government.

In 1972, an amendment to the charter set forth that "Council shall, at least once during each ten-year period, by ordinance or resolution, determine whether to appoint a Charter Review Commission to review the entire Charter. The first ten-year period shall end December 31, 1982. Thereafter each successive ten-year period shall commence on the date of Council's ordinance or resolution making such determination." The last time the city convened a charter review was in 1982.

The commission's charge is to "conduct fact-finding as appropriate and identify issues to study and address, including, as examples only, Cleveland Heights' form of government, anti-discrimination language, 'emergency actions,' term limits, etc. If the commission should decide to consider any significant changes to the current form of government, thorough due diligence is expected as part of the process."

Council selected the 15 members of the charter commission from among 57 residents who applied. Each council member appointed one individual; the remaining eight were appointed by council as a whole.

"I want to thank all these individuals for their time and commitment to Cleveland Heights and its future," said Cleveland Heights Mayor Cheryl Stephens. "The work they are about to undertake can have a meaningful impact on our city for the long-term. In addition to welcoming our 15 members, I'd like to thank all of the residents of the city of Cleveland Heights who took the time to apply. I applaud your effort and interest."

The city has contracted with Lawrence F. Keller, associate professor emeritus of the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, to serve as the independent facilitator for the commission. His role will be to lead the charter review process, and assist the commission in reaching conclusions and making recommendations.

All charter commission meetings will be open to the public. Once the meeting dates have been finalized, they will be posted on the city's website, at www.clevelandheights.com.