Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission renames legal office, adds zoning administrator to charter draft
Summary
The commission voted to change the charter term 'solicitor' to 'director of law' to align with state usage and approved adding a zoning-administrator section (using ordinance language) to capture a recently created enforcement position.
The Charter Review Commission voted June 8 to change references to the city’s legal officer from 'solicitor' to 'director of law' and to add a zoning-administrator section to the charter draft. The motion to rename the legal position cited Ohio statutory language and how the city currently refers to the position; commissioners asked counsel to ensure cross-references are updated.
Separately, members agreed the zoning administrator position, created recently by ordinance to receive and process zoning applications and enforce codes, should appear in the charter. Commissioners voted to add a new Section (5.11) establishing the office and to insert duties using the existing ordinance language (receive/process applications, inspect properties, enforce zoning and building laws, issue notices and orders). The commission asked staff to copy the ordinance wording into the charter redline so counsel can finalize the legal phrasing.
Why it matters: members said the changes reflect current practice and improve clarity for city operations. The commission did not expand the powers assigned to the zoning administrator beyond what the ordinance provides; counsel will review to ensure the charter language does not unintentionally change powers or appointment processes.
Next steps: staff will pull the ordinance text into the draft, counsel will confirm appointment/authority language, and the final redline will be distributed before the next meeting and included in the July 1 submission to council.
