Pepper Pike council approves Charter Review Commission recommendations for May ballot after amending effective date, appointment language and removal threshold

Pepper Pike City Council voted Wednesday to send the Charter Review Commission—s recommended revisions to the city charter to the May ballot, adopting an ordinance with three council amendments after a lengthy public and council discussion.

The council—s action follows the commission—s final report and a third reading of ordinance 2025-01. Council member Gentile moved to adopt the ordinance as presented; the council later approved amendments changing the ordinance—s effective date to Oct. 1, 2025, adding language to Article 11(a) to specify that the mayor and council will appoint the next Charter Review Commission "through an application process determined by ordinance," and raising the council vote threshold for removing the mayor from five members to six. The final roll call on the amended ordinance produced five "yes" votes and two "no" votes, and the ordinance was approved to be placed before voters in May.

Why it matters: The packet of charter changes would alter the city—s governance structure in ways council members said are intended to modernize a document written in 1966, including specifying appointment processes for boards and adding removal safeguards. Several council members pressed for additional public engagement before a vote; others argued the commission conducted robust outreach and that delaying would be disrespectful to citizens who served on the commission.

Council discussion and public concerns

Council members debated both substance and process for nearly three hours. Council…