[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6270071,"mediaKeyId","3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8","parentId",3039625,"title","Votes at a glance: meeting minutes approved; commission pauses at Article 22; meeting adjourned","audioSeconds",4604,"startMs",22000,"endMs",4626000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8&start=22&end=4626","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6270071/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-meeting-minutes-approved-commission-pauses-at-Article-22-meeting-adjourned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270071-13fac1f794fd32fbd58544db941e4f3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184435&Signature=FE9xhH5CTplL3fjGlBuiMe6SLBrHYlPrzwtw6WWEC9Xdn0YWV7FFig6n85pU0LfucH92KwZo0697QN95tGsysExQh7S0FIXpwxnzW3qc4BY04qPzaX4j4gm-xcgdyLOBtgd3ZLhtMM5gl5Ag0LJyd1um8szM0hi7~DVb2T1xxEKnCH-NfuTD5UkWV4oLuAVVAZN~jJqvSWgkiXv1AHJIEEpsseVuy0ha6ZfkcteyxQ0~wuapOU47p8taph8xbQoScV5Vfh6h4Dcnh76vu~2W9W0XArPpciCf8~tKSF8QGuFX1s8v2WW2SMy00QerFUtdXN~66Pl1l20IpEKW92LQfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Stow, OH ","date","2025-04-17T16:08:23.003Z","article","The commission handled three recorded procedural actions during the meeting: approval of the April 9 meeting minutes, a motion to stop the agenda at Article 22 and proceed to public comment, and a motion to adjourn at the end of the session.

At the start of the meeting a member moved to approve the minutes from the April 9 meeting; the chair called for any objections and the minutes were approved. Later, near 7:00 p.m., a motion was made and seconded to stop at Article 22 for the evening and move into public comment; the commission voted \"Aye\" and the motion passed. At the meeting’s close a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and the commission approved the adjournment.

The transcript records the motions, seconds and voice votes but no roll‑call tally by name. The commission did not record further substantive votes on charter amendments during this meeting; two draft amendments that had been voted on previously will be submitted to City Council for consideration per the commission’s agenda process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Stow- Charter Review Commission- April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Procedural motions at the meeting included approval of prior minutes, a motion to pause the agenda at Article 22 and move to public comment, and an adjournment motion; votes were recorded as unanimous 'ayes' with no roll‑call tallies in the transcript.","taxTitle","Stow City, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",55000,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270075,"Residents and a council member press commission to study ranked‑choice voting",919,4681000,5600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8&start=4681&end=5600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8/thumbnail_4681000.jpg","/articles/6270075/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Residents-and-a-council-member-press-commission-to-study-rankedchoice-voting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270075-484809fa23d45b2094cc6fb06d75345b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184435&Signature=ebwzVap4eGW1Wg5xN4OH2revKHvadsqdxP0vGWBViIW0bxmi9Psl~RTK5g54nrfpfZ1~zHtuKS3-Y1yvTJDRLgEwwbSVIpSrDrZSkdFL7VFkpQ~cLXIZJN3amUZZjn8OFXowJDKMn7caSdpx8z5me5YgHJcU3tvszrMMIJCgOvh6omJaDRrkMuYUjis4Dk500AHLREZ6Qcz7xxqfFbI2P2sD6MVkFR10TfS8-sXdj0l3gnWGqC5RkZLouEBAYKgbRi5K0Y52Wx~N5N5~OrhYdH7v0wA3R6ri09cL50LmQb2WX~8bwrqBrMaz29e3MG4QV~lZwmKlwyq4wuGbspL1ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three members of the public used the commission’s public‑comment period to ask the commission to study ranked‑choice voting (RCV) and to consider public education and outreach if the commission moves the issue forward.

Christopher Enrich, a resident who said he is a computer programmer, urged the commission to study pairwise (Condorcet) tally methods as well as the more common instant‑runoff ranked choice method. Enrich described pairwise voting as “you take every pairing of possible candidates who could have run head to head, and you match every one of those together and see who wins the most head‑to‑head matchups,” and said that, in some simulations, Condorcet methods avoid a spoiler problem that can affect instant runoff systems.

Council member Kyle Herman told the commission he supported a study of RCV and recommended the instant‑runoff method as “the most simple, the one that has been proven effective in tons of other places.” Herman said Summit County’s election vendor is pursuing federal certification for software that could support ranked ballots in Ohio and encouraged the commission to consider public education and to convene town halls.

Daniel Schneider, another resident, said RCV generates enthusiasm among voters who otherwise feel disenfranchised and that people he knows who declined to vote under current systems expressed interest in ranked ballots. Commissioners and staff discussed logistics: whether current election systems can run alternative tally methods, and the commission asked staff to invite neighboring jurisdictions or practitioners to present and to visualize the mechanics of different RCV methods at a future public session.

Why it matters: changing the voting method used in municipal elections would require legal review, public education and likely a ballot measure. Commenters asked the commission to research technical, software and outreach steps and to recommend whether Stow should pursue RCV and, if so, which method.","Three public commenters — including two civic volunteers and a council member — urged the commission to study ranked‑choice voting; commenters favored instant runoff or Condorcet (pairwise) methods and offered outreach suggestions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270080,"Commission reviews Article 21 general provisions: conflicts, removals, residency and transparency",3835,76000,3911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8&start=76&end=3911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6270080/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Commission-reviews-Article-21-general-provisions-conflicts-removals-residency-and-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270080-2e31be713020f3ef37fa6228358eb486/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184435&Signature=I06oT0GmBLgxT1pq4kRb87Kz5RCXNWsnjV0jjm7Q60HCUqZ0PvmV4z7sja5cHOKxg3lFQYJxem-AfWmBd3RPSSaxbMPM9WMMqiZxOO8ty3xo4CK9N1j4t5z-iFqV-XO0iSRZmVGq~igChvbYOKk~fIJ299Oa33G4RAcgXYKJozsTP5V15xUvAPBgoqurfNp9nastlbWkRbSdbcv-Y4zjRSgjeTCgFzIefh-7DwHxg53~lDsSRpy5QdBj-iZoHKfiiEqRSMfHK3Smy5m7pnBI3CC-lu~ms-3RuHF3V3xX4GMb3Iu2yO~ssjHQYYC9T6U1dEuMfDJDqh-CMXumhuGpmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission walked through Article 21, a general‑provisions catchall that includes conflict‑of‑interest language, authority and limits on removal of appointed officers, the charter’s effective date, how partial invalidity of sections is handled, residency rules for city employees and a newly added transparency requirement for live public broadcasting of meetings.

Staff read the conflict‑of‑interest language: “No officer or employee of this municipality shall directly or indirectly solicit contract for, receive, or be interested in any gift, profit, or emolument from or on account of any contracts, job, work, or service with or for the municipality other than his or her compensation and expenses as fixed by the council.” The group discussed typical applications — for example, the law director noted the provision would bar accepting gifts from contractors, even small items in some contexts.

On removal authority (Section 21.02) commissioners and staff discussed which mayoral and council appointees require council approval for removal. Staff explained the charter distinguishes between officers and board appointees and the code as drafted requires a two‑thirds council vote to remove school‑board appointees in certain cross‑appointments. Commissioners asked for clarifications about which positions (for example, police officers) are subject to civil‑service protections and which removals require council approval.

The commission also reviewed residency rules (Section 21.07), which say council may create residency requirements consistent with the Ohio Revised Code, and a new transparency section (Section 21.09) enacted in 2023 that requires live audio and video broadcasting of municipal public meetings, with executive sessions exempted by law. Staff flagged that the charter’s general‑provision language is intentionally broad and that the law director can prepare drafting fixes if the commission wants editorial cleanup.

The commission did not vote on specific amendments to Article 21 but asked staff to track minor wording issues (for example, a likely typographic reference to \"city of council\") and to return suggested language where appropriate.","The commission read and discussed Article 21 general provisions including conflict‑of‑interest restrictions, removal authority for mayor and council, residency rules, charter effective date and a new transparency provision requiring live public broadcasting of municipal bodies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270085,"Commission reviews Article 22: operating budget, five‑year capital plan and appropriations timing",798,3775000,4573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8&start=3775&end=4573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8/thumbnail_3775000.jpg","/articles/6270085/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Commission-reviews-Article-22-operating-budget-fiveyear-capital-plan-and-appropriations-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270085-cdc56331f9754460d44341d2b7321fcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184435&Signature=gR-Q~d03gIzDq7LTmSkblZvmQGM4w4AJ5inpjO0USohgMhVXrihOyZj7cT6DQiFrveHFu~mBNc3UyFYHtphne3rIxSG~qCATc1fZMl71vmhrdmvZekhAsskfdSvxfy~WWFj8dVvbscnfwiNk1-mqNeNlIeSYOXbLZw0A9mYeUB7QlJF02jI9plsHMCmKrpSLgHOAeXnl~rvtoR5-1Rn-qtMwBB1jsWi5riM1DQHSbry0iD9iLobWwIfnL9pgUtoxvWNEW4vzlCNjSdVR0dtRR89lnHsn-i58wqg4amYF6xoOVL6GyWiZ-ur7t83JlZmphriyVj1mzi9Nw8u8C2p~Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter Review Commission reviewed Article 22, which sets out budgeting procedures: the mayor must prepare and submit an operating budget, a five‑year capital improvement plan and an annual appropriations ordinance to council according to the council’s annual budget calendar.

The commission discussed what form the budget and capital plan must take and how much discretion the council has to require a specific format. Staff explained the charter language requires the mayor and Department of Finance to submit the operating budget “in accordance with the annual budget calendar as established by the council,” and that the council may adopt the budget with or without amendments.

Commissioners asked practical questions about the process and timing: how the mayor’s submission is reviewed, how council and mayor reconcile differences, and what happens if council and mayor cannot agree before the first working day in December. Staff said the process is generally collaborative, but noted the legal consequences of failing to adopt an appropriations ordinance could restrict spending until the dispute is resolved.

On capital planning, staff described the five‑year capital improvement plan as strategic rather than an annual appropriation: it signals priorities and timing for large projects but can be amended if circumstances change. The commission asked staff to provide examples or templates and, where helpful, to show how the new budget software has been used in recent cycles to produce council‑acceptable documents.

The commission did not take a formal vote on changes but directed staff to compile examples of budget and capital plan formats used in other municipalities and to summarize the city’s recent process for the next meeting.","The commission reviewed Article 22 budgeting procedures, including required submission of an operating budget, a five‑year capital improvement plan and an annual appropriations ordinance; commissioners asked for clarity on the form and process.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6270089,"Charter commission debates expanding council terms, staggering and grandfathering",1394,937000,2331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8&start=937&end=2331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3039625-c510f3f4d5b44ec0b349c5a96d574fd8/thumbnail_937000.jpg","/articles/6270089/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Charter-commission-debates-expanding-council-terms-staggering-and-grandfathering","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6270089-3b100cc85ff1cbdfecd1568953aa1c1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184435&Signature=Ubv0rSHIqG9CiGQ2NIBOyuD6tprARybvBRrq6WwLAz9zpUcqxH0QEUTCkwo49UN8V1mrh7XgLTFt72~8yxZDhgACDuS8Ivg--0eK-dJ2ABmQCVKTe9DaqZFael~BFK87MHXt9djqSol2tz6u1vgODZnaSi2GVgQRi~gsKwJ7vEqktbkMvIvCjkwQzIiLZopTGWq9X48M7-Rz1700WE9ppyOtjvz8Y5tf4Nw9RIBU1~5YxEiZBSYNIWDSM5F92kLEQInB8d-lxOTYTu131MMC7iTytaUEQ8s-zGdBEkCsFqpyy4k4HGyyqZR7zjhuhSLxgO45T0N83ztCnV3EdYYnSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stow City Charter Review Commission spent the largest portion of its meeting on term limits and possible changes to council term length, discussing a proposal to extend council terms from two years to four and to stagger elections so not all seven council seats would be on the ballot at once.

The discussion centered on whether to convert council seats to four-year terms, how to stagger those terms (for example by ward versus at-large cycles), and how to protect current incumbents from being unfairly cut short. The commission also revisited recently adopted charter language limiting consecutive service for mayor, finance director, and law director.

Commission staff read the charter text the group was considering aloud. Staff summarized the amended language for executive officers: “With the exception of completing an unexpired term, the mayor, finance director, and law director shall serve no more than two consecutive four‑year terms in the same elected office and no more than a total of 10 consecutive years,” and noted that city council members are limited to eight consecutive years in the same office under current language. The reading and subsequent discussion made the charter language and recent amendment history explicit to the group.

Commissioners debated multiple ways to implement a change if the commission recommends it. Options canvassed included: switching all seven seats to four years; keeping two‑year terms but staggering seats; keeping ward seats at one cycle and at‑large seats on another; and a phased implementation that would take effect after the 2027 municipal elections so current terms would not be truncated. Commissioners discussed a specific phased approach that would begin in 2027, putting mayor, law director, finance director and ward seats on one four‑year cycle and leaving at‑large seats on a different two‑year cycle initially so the body becomes staggered over several election cycles.

Members discussed grandfathering language for incumbents who would otherwise be disadvantaged by an immediate switch to four‑year terms, noting one draft would grant current members who would hit an eight‑year limit during the transition an allowance up to 10 years so they would not be forced to sit out immediately because of a rule change. Commissioners also asked staff to pull minutes from 2018, 2020 and 2022 to clarify how prior charter amendments altered term calculations.

Why it matters: the length and timing of terms affects electoral turnover, candidate recruitment and workload for elected officials. Commissioners said longer terms could give councilors more time to learn the job and focus on governance rather than frequent campaigns; opponents or skeptics raised concerns about reducing voter accountability and the loss of routine electoral check‑ins.

The commission voted earlier in the meeting to continue work on this item at future sessions and to hold at least one town hall to gather public input before recommending any charter amendment to City Council. The commission asked staff to prepare visual scenarios (timelines and graphics) showing how staggered four‑year terms would roll out and to assemble the minutes and background from prior amendment cycles for the next meeting.","The Stow City Charter Review Commission discussed changing City Council terms from two years to four, options for staggering seats, grandfathering current members, and whether to alter term limits for appointed/elected officials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: meeting minutes approved; commission pauses at Article 22; meeting adjourned

Residents and a council member press commission to study ranked‑choice voting

Commission reviews Article 21 general provisions: conflicts, removals, residency and transparency

Commission reviews Article 22: operating budget, five‑year capital plan and appropriations timing

Charter commission debates expanding council terms, staggering and grandfathering