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.
On May 4, 2016, members of Represent Columbus submitted a charter amendment petition with the city clerk, such amendment being titled, “To Amend the Charter to Create City Council Districts, Provide for Election of Council Members from Districts, and Change the Number of Council Members Elected At Large to Three.” The petition purported to contain the signatures of 39,308 electors of the city of Columbus. The pre-circulation copy of the petition, along with documents associated with the May 4, 2016 filing are attached to this ordinance.
Pursuant to Section 42-9 of the charter, the city clerk submitted the part-petitions to the Franklin County Board of Elections to validate the signatures and to the city attorney to advise on the legal sufficiency of the petition, based upon any applicable local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.
The city clerk has forwarded to this council the reports of the Franklin County Board of Elections and the city attorney. The city clerk has read a summary of the reports into the record.
Per Section 45-1 of the charter, this council must forthwith determine the sufficiency of the citizens’ charter amendment petition and, if it is found sufficient, forthwith by ordinance provide for the submission of the proposed charter amendment to a vote of the electors of the city. Council may not consider the subject matter of the petition in making this determination and council’s action via this ordinance does not constitute support for the proposed amendment.
This council finds that the aforementioned amendment to the charter, hereafter known as “Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1, City Council,” is sufficient pursuant to the requirements of the charter and applicable provisions of the Ohio Constitution and Ohio Revised Code. Having found the petition sufficient, this council must order and provide for the submission of Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1 to the electors at an election to be called and held no less than 60 nor more than 120 days from passage of this ordinance. As such, this question must be submitted to electors at a special election on August 2, 2016.
Title
To submit to the electors of the city of Columbus at a special election to be held on August 2, 2016, the question of amending the Charter of the City of Columbus, such question to be known as "Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1, City Council.”
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of the City Clerk has received a petition seeking to amend the Charter of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds the petition sufficient pursuant to applicable requirements of the Charter of the City of Columbus, the Ohio Constitution, and the Ohio Revised Code; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Charter of the City of Columbus and the Ohio Constitution, City Council hereby calls for a special election to be held on August 2, 2016, for the purpose of placing “Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1, City Council” before electors of the city; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 45 of the Charter, City Council has herein provided a summary of the proposed charter amendments; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 42-12 of the Charter, any ordinance placing an issue before voters or setting the date of an associated special election shall go into effect and be in force from and after the date of passage, and shall not be submitted to or require the Mayor's signature, or be subject to the Mayor's veto; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the city council hereby deems, pursuant to Section 45 of the Charter of the City of Columbus, that a special election is hereby called to place the question hereinafter set forth on August 2, 2016.
SECTION 2. That there be submitted to the electors of the city of Columbus the question of amending the Charter of the City of Columbus, such question and proposed amendment being set forth as an attachment ("PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT No.1, City Council") hereto and hereby made a part hereof.
SECTION 3. That the question submitted in Section 2 be and hereby is known as "Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1, City Council."
SECTION 4. That, pursuant to Section 45-4 of the Charter of the City of Columbus, city council hereby prescribes a summary of the proposed amendment which shall be placed upon the ballot, such summary being set forth as an attachment (“PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT BALLOT SUMMARY”) hereto and hereby made a part hereof.
SECTION 5. That the city clerk is directed to forthwith serve a certified copy of this ordinance upon the boards of elections of Franklin County, Delaware County, and Fairfield County, Ohio.
SECTION 6. That the boards of elections of Franklin County, Delaware County, and Fairfield County, Ohio be and hereby are requested to place the question, "Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1, City Council," along with the summary of the proposed amendment prescribed herein, upon the ballot to be submitted to the electors as provided for and upon the date set forth herein.
SECTION 7. That, pursuant to Section 42-12 of the Charter of the City of Columbus, this ordinance shall go into effect and be in force from and after its passage.