Council approves emergency ordinance raising mayor—s pay, reclassifying office as full time

An overwhelming majority of the City of 7 Hills City Council voted July 29 to pass amended ordinance 36-2025 as an emergency measure, increasing the mayor—s compensation and modifying the position to mayor/safety director with full-time benefits. The measure passed after public comment largely in favor of the change and a legal explanation from city attorneys about the ordinance—s permissibility.

Supporters at the meeting said the mayor already functions full time and that competitive pay is needed to retain future leaders. "This is a position that should have been full time a long time ago," said Pierre Bijani, president of CAMEO, speaking during the public-comment portion. Jumay Chambers, who described professional experience in the private sector, told council the mayor—s duties "far exceed the current salary."

Assistant Law Director Grandinetti told the council that "emergency legislation . . . enacts the legislation immediately" and requires a two-thirds vote to pass. Grandinetti said it is customary for compensation ordinances to include an emergency clause so the change takes effect quickly and to avoid administrative disruption. Later in the meeting the council received a separate legal ruling that the council has authority under the municipal charter to fix the mayor—s salary so long as it is not reduced below the $40,000 minimum set by a 2023 charter amendment (Ballot Issue 68).

Council debate included concern that the ordinance goes beyond a simple salary change. Councilwoman Stacy Kelly said she supported raising the salary but argued that Ballot Issue 68, adopted by voters in November 2023, "is very clear that it is speaking to a salary compensation and salary compensation only." Kelly said the ordinance before council also changed the position—s employment status, provided health care, a city vehicle and other benefits that she believes are material changes that should return to voters.

Council Pro Tem Castanzo moved to pass the amended ordinance as an emergency measure; the motion was seconded and carried. The roll-call vote recorded in the meeting transcript shows one dissenting vote from Councilwoman Kelly and the measure was certified as passed as an emergency ordinance.

The ordinance text read into the record amends codified ordinance section 125.011 (Compensation and Expense Allowance of the Mayor) to modify the compensation/position of the mayor/safety director and declares an emergency. Mayor Tony Biaseata addressed the audience before the vote, urging that the measure set a standard for future mayors and noting that the ordinance will not take effect until the next mayoral term nearly two-and-a-half years from now.

Why it matters: Council members and scores of residents framed the vote as a step to ensure the mayoralty attracts candidates who can devote full attention to managing city operations, pursuing grants and coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions. Opponents cautioned the ordinance may implement benefit and status changes that voters did not directly approve in the 2023 charter amendment and flagged the need for clarity on which items require voter approval.

The council left in place the emergency clause so the ordinance will take effect at the start of the next mayoral term under the terms stated in the ordinance. The record shows robust public comment (multiple residents spoke in favor) and at least one formal objection from a council member regarding scope and voter intent.

Council and administrative staff said they will follow up on implementation details, including effective date clarifications and how benefits (for example, the monthly stipend historically associated with the mayor—s office) will be administered under the revised ordinance.