Council votes to prepare legislation to reject citizen initiative pending signature certification (motion carries 6–1)

Council members discussed an initiative petition titled the "Sylvania resource conservation and equal access ordinance," which petitioners submitted to the clerk and the board of elections for certification. Administration advised that signature certification is delayed by the primary election calendar and that the city must respond to the board of elections by May 30 with one of three options: pass as written, amend-and-pass, or reject and send the measure to a vote.

Council members debated outreach to the initiative committee about accepting amendments; Mary Westfall said she contacted petitioners asking whether they would consider amendments and received courteous replies but no clear acceptance. "No response to that inquiry from my perspective suggests that there is not, openness to consideration of amending the legislation," Westfall said. After discussion, Councilor Sean Murphy moved (seconded) that the city prepare legislation to reject the initiative petition contingent on certification of signatures and asked administration to bring draft legislation to the next council meeting. A roll-call vote recorded 6 in favor and 1 opposed; the clerk recorded those votes and the motion carried.

Council and administration agreed that no enforceable action will occur until the board of elections certifies the signatures and that any legislation prepared will be subject to certification timing. Administration will prepare the draft and present it for council consideration at the May 18 meeting.