Charter redline clarifies police/fire language and alters planning-and-zoning structure

Commissioners reviewed proposed charter language affecting public safety responsibilities and the composition of the planning and zoning commission during the May 7 redline review.

On public safety, the draft inserts a mandatory provision for police protection while keeping fire protection permissive. Commissioners discussed whether the word "shall" should apply to both services; one commissioner said the intent was to require police protection but allow council to contract for fire protection with neighboring jurisdictions. The transcript records: "Rather than shall. So it would state That's right. Council may provide for fire protection by contract." That language aims to preserve flexibility for shared township fire services while mandating police protection either by contract or by starting a city department.

On planning and zoning, the redline adds a council member as an ex officio chair of the planning and zoning commission and clarifies voting rules — when the council member would vote and when they would not. Commissioners discussed numeric and typographical corrections in section numbering and the addition of an "eighth member" language fix. The presenter said the reorganization was intended to reflect the commission's previous direction on membership and to make voting rules explicit.

These changes were part of the larger redline package the commission approved by roll call; they will now be before City Council for review. Commissioners asked staff to double-check numbering, punctuation, and spelling in the final draft before transmission.