43
Canfield charter review panel makes recommendations
By KALEA hall
CANFIELD
The Canfield City Charter Review Commission has made multiple recommendations to city council concerning term limits for the mayor, council and board and commission members.
A commission member, council members, Mayor Bernie Kosar Sr., City Atty. Mark Fortunato and City Manager Joe Warino discussed the recommendations at a meeting Wednesday evening.
“I consider this commission to have done some really good work in a difficult time,” Fortunato said.
The commission had to deal with the issue of an amendment to the charter that violates the state law restricting municipal elections to odd-numbered years. The city amendment, proposed by Canfield resident Frank Micchia and passed in 2012, and states that the mayor may stay in office for only three years. That went into effect with Kosar’s election in 2013 which would mean an election would take place in 2016.
The commission recommended allowing the mayor to serve four years, which would place the election in 2017.
A court could issue a declaratory judgement to mandate the commission’s recommendation.
The commission also recommended extending the term limit for city council members from two years to four. An amendment, also proposed by Micchia and passed in 2012, called for the two-year limits.
Another amendment placing three-year term limits on members of the city’s five boards and commissions, with the ability to serve two consecutive terms, was reviewed by the commission. Its recommendations for those are:
The civil service commission would have three members appointed by a majority vote for six years and would serve until their successors are appointed.
The park, recreation and cemetery board would consist of two members appointed by the manager and four citizens to a five-year term. They would continue in office until their successors are appointed.
The design review/historical preservation review commission would consist of a council member, whose term coincides with his or her term of office, a resident member of the local historical society and three members representing the public at large, who would serve four years.
The commission began meeting in July to discuss the charter.
Fortunato told council members they can accept all, some or none of the recommendations and they do not necessarily have to take any recommendations to the ballot.
The officials also discussed having a town-hall meeting to discuss the recommended term limit changes.
“In my mind I think the voters got it right,” said Councilman John Morvay. “I think the majority knew what they were voting for.”
In order to place any items on the ballot dealing with the charter, council would have to act fast since the deadline is Feb. 5, but the lawmakers felt they should reach out to the public first.
“I think we have to let the dust settle and inform the public,” said Council President Steve Rogers.
Other recommendations made by the commission dealt with removal of council members, publication of ordinances and resolutions, powers and duties of the municipal attorney and organization of the boards and commissions.