MOUNT VERNON — Whether the catalyst was the first meeting of the year or the college football championship game, the Mount Vernon City Council meeting on Monday was brief.
In its organizational meeting, council appointed Council Member Tammy Woods as chairman pro tem. If both Woods and Council President Bruce Hawkins are absent, the council member with the most seniority will preside.
They appointed Todd Hill as clerk of council.
The council will hold two meetings a month. Public participation remains at four minutes; council may grant an additional four minutes.
Council members discussed a proposal to change the Planning and Zoning Committee to Land Use and Development Committee.
Area Development Foundation President Jeff Gottke suggested the change.
Councilman James Mahan said the change increases the scope of the committee to include zoning, lot splits, new development, tax incentives, and growth planning.
It also changes the scope of the Parks and Lands Committee.
Mahan noted the objective was to create a one-stop committee for the ADF to work with.
Council members will discuss it further at their next council meeting.
As it stands now, the 2024-25 committee assignments are as follows:
•Utilities: Councilman John Ruckman (chair), councilman Mike Miller, Mahan, and Councilwoman Janis Seavolt
•Employee & Community Relations: Councilwoman Tammy Woods (chair), Councilwoman Amber Keener, Councilman Mel Severns, Mahan
•Parks & Lands: Miller (chair), Severns, Ruckman, Seavolt
•Streets & Public Buildings: Severns (chair), Ruckman, Miller, Keener
•Fire, Police & Civil Defense: Mahan (chair), Seavolt, Woods, Miller•finance & Budget: Seavolt (chair), Woods, Keener, Severns
•Planning & Zoning: Keener (chair), Mahan, Woods, Ruckman
Legislative session
Because Keener and Seavolt were absent, council could not suspend the rules and pass any legislation. Mount Vernon City Council therefore gave a first reading to the following resolutions:
•Adopting rules of conduct
•Authorizing the internet sale of property no longer needed
•Supporting the Ohio Commission for the United States semiquincentennial (America 250-OH)
•Reappointing Sibley Poland to the Historical Review Commission
•Authorizing to bid and contract for the Community Development Block Grant project for the Dan Emmett Elementary School water and sewer improvements
Parliamentary procedure
•Roll call is required before a public body can go into executive session.
•The reason for going into executive session must be stated.
•If president pro tem is chair, he/she is included in the roll call and votes on legislation.
•Only those who table an item can bring it back to the table.
Counting the vote: (law director makes official decision)
•6 = three-fourths
•4 of 7 = majority
•4.66 = two-thirds
•5 of 7 = pass legislation with the emergency clause and effective on mayor’s signature
•6 of 7 = suspend rules (three-fourths of all members)
Voting guidelines: (law director makes official decision)
•4 votes to pass on third reading (majority of full council. A 3-2 vote fails)
•Three-fourths vote (6) required to override Municipal Planning Commission’s recommendation
•Two-thirds (5) of all members to override mayor’s veto
•Majority vote to amend legislation
Legislation passed with the emergency clause goes into effect immediately upon the mayor’s signature. Legislation without the emergency clause goes into effect 30 days after the mayor’s signature.
Motions:
•Table on third reading — legislation goes back to the first reading when it’s returned to the table
•Postpone indefinitely — removes/kills the legislation
•Postpone to a certain time (date certain) — postpones the legislation to another specified meeting/date
•Amend — makes changes to the legislation; legislation is then approved/rejected “as amended.”
