City considers changes to charter

Changes would affect the way police and fire chiefs are appointed

Painesville City Council recently discussed a potential ballot measure to amend the city’s charter.

Painesville City Council recently discussed a potential ballot measure to amend the city’s charter and the way in which it appoints their police and fire chiefs.

Both positions are appointed through the auspices of the city manager, currently Monica Dupee. They are also the only two positions which must be appointed from within their own respective organizations, as per city charter. The May 4 meeting focused on changing charter language to allow for outside candidates to be considered. If council were to move forward they would present proposed legislation to the Lake County Elections Board to place the matter on the November ballots.

Representatives from both the city administration and the police and fire chiefs are scheduled to meet May 14 to gain a broader understanding of the most constructive path forward for all parties, according to Police Chief Daniel Waterman.

“We have a really good relationship with (City Manager Dupee) and council,” Waterman said prior to the meeting. “We’ll sit down and see what they’re looking for and try to help them at least as much as we can in that regard.”

While both positions of chief are non-union, both fire and police unions have been invited to sit in on the discussions.

“The unions will have the ability to weigh in too,” he adds. “I know that they’ve been invited to the meetings. The city has been pretty open about it. Union members from both unions will be there, both chiefs along with council and (Dupee). The Safety Committee will be able to address

“I think our department, we’re really highly trained, so we’re looking to say that you should have certain requirements before you step in and be chief.” — Police Chief Daniel Waterman.

all that and we’ll go from there.”

He sees potential positives stemming from the conversation, including a refinement to the selection process that could benefit the stability and effectiveness of the department.

“I think there could be a meeting of the minds on this and become a thing that is supported, and that’s what I’m hoping for. The police department wouldn’t mind some conditions because there have really never been any stipulations as to what would you like to see in a police chief or what should they have.

“I think our department, we’re really highly trained, so we’re looking to say that you should have certain requirements before you step in and be chief. Otherwise you could get a city manager tomorrow that could say ‘You know what? I like that guy because of the way he dresses, appoint him chief.’ You could have someone be chief for the wrong reasons.”

Council will meet respective chiefs and department unions before a subsequent May 18 council meeting which will further the discussion before any decisions are to be made.