Explanation
This ordinance provides for the submission to the electors of the city of Columbus the question of amending the Charter of the City of Columbus ("charter"), as hereinafter described. Such question is based on the recommendations of the 2014 Columbus Charter Review Commission ("commission").
On June 30, 2014, the Charter Review Commission, appointed by Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Council President Andrew J. Ginther, adopted twenty-one (21) recommendations. A report summarizing those recommendations was submitted on July 7, 2014 and is attached to this ordinance.
Based on council's consideration of the commission's recommendations, council proposes a ballot question regarding city officeholders. Proposed Charter Amendment No. 3, City Officeholders, addresses the following:
· Adopts state law to determine if an officer or employee of the city has an unlawful interest in a public contract, theft in office, bribery, or improper compensation; and maintains the charter's elevated penalty for violation - loss of office or employment.
· Affirms that records of the city are public records and must be made available pursuant to general laws.
· Establishes that public bodies of the city are subject to state open meeting laws; and requires city entities to follow general open meeting laws if the entity is appointed by an officer of the city for the sole purpose of advising a public body of the city.
· Establishes prohibited uses of public funds and requires council to adopt an ordinance stating those prohibited uses.
· Creates the Citizens' Commission on Elected Official Compensation to recommend, every four years, the salary for the mayor, auditor, city attorney, and city council; members are appointed as follows; 2 by council, 2 by the mayor and 1 chair appointed by the mayor and council president; council must act on, but may not exceed, the commission's recommendations; and annual cost of living adjustments are strictly limited to the average of...
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