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Council adopts resolution rejecting initiative petition after failed amendment
Summary
Sylvania City Council adopted Resolution 5-20-26, rejecting an initiative petition presented April 20, 2026. An attempt to amend a “whereas” clause failed for lack of a second; the resolution passed on a 6–1 roll call vote.
Sylvania City Council adopted Resolution 5-20-26 on May 18, 2026, rejecting an initiative petition presented to the city on April 20, 2026. Councilmember Westfall introduced the resolution and moved it as an emergency measure.
A councilmember (speaker 9) proposed an amendment to strike language in the fourth whereas clause, saying the clause ‘‘is factually inaccurate’’ and arguing that the initiative’s draft ordinance already includes provisions requiring compliance with federal and state law. Mayor clarified the amendment’s effect — to end the clause after the word “Sylvania” — but the amendment failed for lack of a second and did not proceed to a roll-call for adoption.
Following discussion, Westfall’s resolution was put to a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded votes as: Hansen — yes; Hanham — no; McCann — yes; Murphy — yes; Richardson — yes; Dow — yes; Westfall — yes, producing a 6–1 vote to adopt Resolution 5-20-26 as an emergency measure. The mayor announced the motion carried.
The council did not adopt any change to the ordinance language as part of the council action; the resolution as presented was approved. The council’s minutes record that the amendment-proponent said the fourth whereas clause ‘‘could expose the city of Sylvania to significant legal liability,’’ a claim which he argued was ‘‘clearly false and misleading’’ and therefore worth striking. Council declined to accept that amendment and approved the resolution rejecting the petition.
