YOUNGSTOWN Charter review panel plans to gather input

The Urban League supports a full-time council and eliminating term limits.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The charter review commission will plot its strategy for gathering public input as a turning point approaches.
The commission decided Thursday to hear from some invited guests next week. Then, members will meet at month's end to arrange public comment sessions on the charter.
Members talked about having public meetings around the city. Residents could suggest changes they want to see to the charter.
Commission members said they likely will decide their approach to recommending charter changes after the public sessions.
Facing deadline
The commission faces an early August deadline to recommend charter amendments to city council if the items are to be on the November ballot.
By state law, charter amendments have to wait until November 2005 if they aren't on this year's ballot. The city could pay for a special election. There hasn't been any enthusiasm expressed for that method, however.
The commission had a long discussion about input gathered so far, how much more it needs and how long sorting it out will take.
Several members said it's becoming obvious that there isn't enough time to do a thorough job and meet the deadline for this year's ballot.
Spoke to panel
Also Thursday, the commission heard from Ron Miller, head of the Youngstown Area Urban League.
Miller urged the commission to carefully consider any changes that would dilute the city's black vote. That includes any suggested changes to the number of council members or type, such as at-large seats.
The urban league doesn't oppose dropping term limits or making council members full time, he said.
The group would like to see length of terms reviewed. The urban league supports two-year terms for all elected city positions, he said.
Shorter terms increase accountability and public involvement, Miller said.
"We believe it stimulates voter interest and voter participation," he said.
Miller also asked that residency requirements be tightened for elected officials and city workers. He added that the charter could use a statement declaring equal opportunity in the city for minorities.
rgsmith@vindy.com