Rocky River voters face six issues

The city of Rocky River is seeking to update its charter with six amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Issue 35 is intended to extend the time for members of Council to fill a vacancy on Council from 30 to 60 days.

Rocky River Law Director Andrew Bemer said there was a consensus that 30 days is too short of a time to provide public notice of the vacancy, receive applications and conduct interviews in filling the position.

Issue 36 is to give authority to the Civil Service Commission, with approval by Council, to adopt or revise rules and regulations for Civil Service employees without amending the Charter each time there’s a recommendation to modify the rules and regulations.

Issue 37 asks to repeal council’s ability to review any decisions granting a variance by the city’s Board of Zoning and Building Appeals.

“(Board of Zoning and Building Appeals) has standards that will apply to everyone for the variances,” Bemer said.

“Council isn’t a reviewing board, so decisions made by them came from a new process.”

Issue 38 is aimed to include electronic meetings and official means of communication, and holding meetings during times of a health crisis or safety emergencies such as that created by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Issue 39 is intended to permit Council to hold an executive session to consider confidential information relating to marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance.

Issue 40 would create a process for posting notices or reports for agendas, meetings, hearings and decisions to be put on the city’s website.