Kirtland Charter Review Committee appointed

Panel to recommend updates to the electorate

The Kirtland City Charter turns half a century old this year, and it’s due for another review.

City Council this week approved appointing a Charter Review Committee to recommend updates or revisions to go before voters.

“Their recommendations will be submitted for the November ballot,” Council Clerk Denise Roelle said.

A public hearing will be held on any proposed changes.

The mayor must appoint two residents from each of the city’s four wards to the committee as well as an at-large representative, according to the charter. The positions receive no compensation, “but Council shall provide for the payment of its reasonable expenses.”

The following appointments to the committee were confirmed:

• Ward 1: Cathleen K. Knaak and Richard P. DeMarco

• Ward 2: James E. Young (chairman) and B. Lawrence Allen

• Ward 3: John M. Clapacs and Sheila E. Dikowicz

• Ward 4: David A. Freeburg and Michael J. Young

• At-large: Katriona S. Torok

“The members were chosen using a combination of recommendations by myself and City Council members,” Mayor Kevin Potter said.

“There is a ton of value in utilizing an independent, resident-based group to periodically revisit our city charter,” he noted. “This is a very important process in that, after the committee has a chance to review the charter and recommend changes, our electorate has the final say at the ballot box to accept or reject those changes.”

He is recommending that the committee look at the Lake County residency requirements that exist for both law director and finance director.

“Additionally, it is my hope that the group discerns the value and/or restrictions imposed by our current referendum zoning,” he said.

The charter calls for another look every 10 years. In 2010, the committee proposed minimal alterations, including language addressing council’s pay — allowing members to reduce their salary mid-term — adding a requirement that council review ward boundaries at least every four years, eliminating the Cemetery Board and transferring responsibilities to the Public Works Department, and requiring the law director to have and maintain an active license to practice law within the state of Ohio throughout his or her term.

The charter was established by voters in 1970.