Lorain County, Ohio

Shall Article III, Section III-7 titled "Council Meetings" and Article IV, Section IV-4(b) titled "Legislative Powers" be amended to provide Council the right to meet in executive session alone by two-thirds vote as follows: Article III, Section III-7. Council Meetings. The Council shall hold at least one regular meeting in each calendar month. A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Council, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance. At any meeting at which a quorum is present, any ordinance or resolution may be passed or adopted, or any other action may be taken, by the affirmative vote of four members of the Council unless a larger number be required by the provisions of this Charter. The Clerk of Council shall keep a record of its proceedings in a journal in which the yea or nay vote of each Councilman voting on an ordinance, resolution or other measure may be recorded. All meetings of the Council shall be open to the public and its journal shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times, except that the Council may meet in a closed executive session only after a majority of the Council determines, by a roll call vote, to hold such a session. The motion and vote to hold an executive session shall state one or more of the specific purposes enumerated in the Ohio Revised Code. The Mayor is entitled to participate in executive sessions unless excluded by a 2/3 vote of council. Article IV, Section IV-4(b). Legislative Powers (b) Legislative Powers. The Mayor shall attend Council meetings but shall have no vote therein. He shall have the right to recommend and introduce legislation and to take part in the discussion of all matters coming before Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council shall be permitted to exclude the Mayor from Executive Sessions of Council in accordance with Article III, Section III-7. Every ordinance or resolution adopted by Council shall be signed by the President of Council or other presiding officer, attested by the Clerk of Council and presented promptly to the Mayor for consideration before it goes into effect. If the Mayor approves such ordinance or resolution, he shall sign and return it to the Clerk of Council within ten days after its adoption by Council, but if he does not approve it, he shall return it to Council within said ten days with his written objections by delivery to the Clerk of Council, which objections shall be entered in full on the journal of the Council. The Mayor may approve or disapprove the whole or any item of an ordinance or resolution appropriating money, but otherwise his approval or disapproval shall be addressed to the entire ordinance or resolution. If he does not return an ordinance or resolution within said ten day period, it shall take effect in the same manner as if he had signed it. When the Mayor has disapproved an ordinance or resolution, or a part or item thereof as herein provided, the Council shall, not later than its next regular meeting, proceed to reconsider it, and if upon reconsideration the ordinance or resolution or part or item thereof be approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of Council, it shall then take effect as if it had received the approval of the Mayor. Shall Article III, Section III-7 titled "Council Meetings" and Article IV, Section IV-4(b) titled "Legislative Powers" be amended to provide Council the right to meet in executive session alone by two-thirds vote?

Shall the proposed amendment to Chapter XIII of the City Charter of Avon Lake, Ohio, to add Section 69(B), be adopted and the City Charter be amended. Said proposed change as contained in the petition reads as follows: The Avon Lake Power Plant, being North of Lake Rd, consisting of the following Permanent Parcel Numbers 04-00-006-101-085 consisting of approximately 41.38 acres, 04-00-006-101-023 consisting of approximately 1.11 acres, and 04-00-006-101-022 consisting of approximately .74 acres of land, is prime lakefront land for development and the future of the City of Avon Lake. No ordinance passed by the City Council of the City of Avon Lake rezoning any of these parcels of land consisting of the Avon Lake Power Plant to Chapter 1219 Lakefront Mixed-Use Overlay District shall take effect until such Ordinance is approved by the electorate of the City of Avon Lake, at a regular or general election occurring no less than ninety (90) days after the passage of said Ordinance. No ordinance passed by the City Council of the City of Avon Lake providing tax incremental financing, commonly known as TIF, for property within or rezoned to the Lakefront Mixed-Use Overlay District shall take effect until such Ordinance is approved by the electorate of the City of Avon Lake, at a regular or general election occurring no less than ninety (90) days after the passage of said Ordinance. Shall Chapter XIII of the City Charter be amended to add Section 69(B) regarding rezoning and tax incremental financing of Permanent Parcel Numbers: 04-00-006-101-085; 04-00-006-101-023; 04-00-006-101-022?

Section 1. General Provisions The positions of Law Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Village Administrator and Village Engineer are hereby established, and the Council shall provide by ordinance for the organization of their respective departments. The Positions of Police Chief, Fire Chief and Village Engineer shall each meet the requirements set forth in Ohio Revised Code Sections, 109.804, 737.22 and 4733.01 respectively. The Council may establish by ordinance new departments or divisions thereof; with the exception of those set forth herein, the Council may combine or abolish existing departments or divisions as it deems necessary, and may authorize one person to be the head of two (2) or more departments or divisions. Shall Article VI, Section 1 of the Charter of Village of Grafton be amended as follows: Allowing Council to establish six (6) positions, requiring three (3) of the positions to meet requirement standards and ability to reorganize departments or divisions freely.

Commencing in 2026, and each three (3) years thereafter, the Council shall appoint as members of a Charter Review Commission five (5) electors of the Municipality holding no elective office of the Municipality. Such Commission shall review the Municipal Charter and within sixty (60) days after such appointment recommend to Council such alterations, revisions and amendments, if any, to this Charter, as in its judgment are desirable. The Council shall submit to the electors, not later than the next succeeding general election, any such proposed alterations, revisions or amendments. The members appointed to said Commission shall serve without compensation. Meetings of the Charter Review Commission shall be open to the public. Shall Article XIV of the Charter of Village of Grafton be amended as follows: Starting in 2026, every 3 years Council shall appoint an unpaid, 5-member Charter Review Commission to recommend charter changes.

Section 1. Clerk of Council Effective from and after January 1, 2028, the Council may appoint, by a majority vote of its current members, a person to serve as the Clerk of Council. The Clerk of Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Council and may be removed without cause by a majority vote of the current members of Council. The Clerk shall give notice of the Council meetings, keep the journal of its proceedings, authenticated by the Clerk's signature and recorded in full, in a book kept for the purpose, all ordinances and resolutions of Council and perform such other duties as shall be required by this Charter or by ordinance or resolution of the Council. Section 2. Director of Finance (A) Effective from and after January 1, 2028, the Mayor shall appoint a Director of Finance who shall take office upon confirmation by the Council by a majority vote of its members. The Director of Finance shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and the Council and may be suspended or removed from office by the Mayor with the consent of the Council granted by a majority vote of its members, or by the Council by a four-fifths vote without the consent of the Mayor. (B) The Director of Finance shall possess an accredited degree in finance or a minimum of five years full time professional work experience in finance. Work experience shall be evaluated by Council and must demonstrate sufficient financial management skills. (C) The Director of Finance shall serve the Mayor and the Council as financial advisor in connection with municipal affairs. The Director of Finance shall keep the financial records of the Municipality, exhibiting accurate statements of all monies received and expended, of all property owned by the Municipality, and of all taxes and assessments. The Director of Finance shall be custodian of all public money of the Municipality, shall keep and preserve such money in the place or places authorized by ordinance, and shall disburse the same as may be required by law or ordinance. The Director of Finance shall not allow the amount set aside for any appropriation to be overdrawn or drawn for any other purpose. The Director of Finance may examine and audit the accounts of all officers, employees, and departments of the Municipality. The Director of Finance may require evidence that the amount of any claim presented to the Director of Finance is due. (D) In the event of a vacancy in the office of Director of Finance, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as provided in Division (A) of this Section in the case of an original appointment. The Mayor, with the approval of a majority of Council, may appoint an Acting Director of Finance if there is a vacancy, absence, or disability of the Director of Finance, which Acting Director of Finance shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and Council. The Acting Director of Finance shall exercise the powers, duties and functions of the Director of Finance under this Charter. Shall Article V, 1 and 2 of the Charter of Village of Grafton be amended as follows: Granting Council the authority to appoint a Clerk of Council and the Mayor to appoint a qualified Director of Finance.

Shall Article III, Section III-7 titled "Council Meetings" and Article IV, Section IV-4(b) titled "Legislative Powers" be amended to provide Council the right to meet in executive session alone by two-thirds vote as follows: Article III, Section III-7. Council Meetings. The Council shall hold at least one regular meeting in each calendar month. A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Council, but a lesser number may adjourn the meeting from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance. At any meeting at which a quorum is present, any ordinance or resolution may be passed or adopted, or any other action may be taken, by the affirmative vote of four members of the Council unless a larger number be required by the provisions of this Charter. The Clerk of Council shall keep a record of its proceedings in a journal in which the yea or nay vote of each Councilman voting on an ordinance, resolution or other measure may be recorded. All meetings of the Council shall be open to the public and its journal shall be available for public inspection at all reasonable times, except that the Council may meet in a closed executive session only after a majority of the Council determines, by a roll call vote, to hold such a session. The motion and vote to hold an executive session shall state one or more of the specific purposes enumerated in the Ohio Revised Code. The Mayor is entitled to participate in executive sessions unless excluded by a 2/3 vote of council. Article IV, Section IV-4(b). Legislative Powers (b) Legislative Powers. The Mayor shall attend Council meetings but shall have no vote therein. He shall have the right to recommend and introduce legislation and to take part in the discussion of all matters coming before Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Council shall be permitted to exclude the Mayor from Executive Sessions of Council in accordance with Article III, Section III-7. Every ordinance or resolution adopted by Council shall be signed by the President of Council or other presiding officer, attested by the Clerk of Council and presented promptly to the Mayor for consideration before it goes into effect. If the Mayor approves such ordinance or resolution, he shall sign and return it to the Clerk of Council within ten days after its adoption by Council, but if he does not approve it, he shall return it to Council within said ten days with his written objections by delivery to the Clerk of Council, which objections shall be entered in full on the journal of the Council. The Mayor may approve or disapprove the whole or any item of an ordinance or resolution appropriating money, but otherwise his approval or disapproval shall be addressed to the entire ordinance or resolution. If he does not return an ordinance or resolution within said ten day period, it shall take effect in the same manner as if he had signed it. When the Mayor has disapproved an ordinance or resolution, or a part or item thereof as herein provided, the Council shall, not later than its next regular meeting, proceed to reconsider it, and if upon reconsideration the ordinance or resolution or part or item thereof be approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of Council, it shall then take effect as if it had received the approval of the Mayor. Shall Article III, Section III-7 titled "Council Meetings" and Article IV, Section IV-4(b) titled "Legislative Powers" be amended to provide Council the right to meet in executive session alone by two-thirds vote?

Shall Article VIII, Section VIII-2 titled "Nomination for Mayor" and Article VIII, Section VIII-3 titled "Nomination for Council" be amended to allow write in candidates for elective office as follows: Section VIII-2. Nomination for Mayor. Nominations for Mayor shall be made either by petition, signed by electors of the Municipality not less than two percent of the number voting for the office of Mayor at the last preceding regular Municipal election; and filed with the election authorities in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio 90 days or more before the scheduled primary in the year of a regular Municipal election, or by filing a declaration of candidacy as a write in candidate in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. In the event there are three or more candidates filing petitions for the office of Mayor, a primary election shall be held for that office in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio and in the year of a regular Municipal election. The names of the two candidates for Mayor receiving the highest number of votes at the primary election shall appear at the regular Municipal election. Section VIII-3. Nomination for Council. Nominations for members of City Council shall be made either by petition signed by electors of the Municipality not less in number than two percent of the number voting for the office of Mayor at the last preceding regular Municipal election or a ward thereof in the case of the nominating petition of a candidate for election as a Councilman from such ward and filed with the election authorities in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, or by filing a declaration of candidacy as a write in candidate in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. Shall Article VIII, Section VIII-2 titled "Nomination for Mayor" and Article VIII, Section VIII-3 titled "Nomination for Council" be amended to allow write in candidates for elective office?

Shall Article XI, Section XI-11 of the Charter of the City of Vermilion, entitled "Rural Water Service," be repealed in its entirety to provide for expansion opportunity to negotiate expansion with other authorities? Shall Article XI, Section XI-11 of the Charter of the City of Vermilion, Rural Water Service be repealed?

Shall Article IX, Section IX-1 titled "Initiative and Referendum" be amended to restore a reasonable signature requirement for Referendums and provide a lesser signature requirement for Initiatives on Ordinances for citizens as follows: (A) Ordinances and resolutions may be proposed by initiative petition and adopted by election, and ordinances and resolutions adopted by Council shall be subject to referendum to the extent and in the manner now or hereafter provided by the constitution as provided in this charter. (B) Referendum petition requirements: (1) A referendum petition shall be valid if signed by the lesser of: (a) five percent (5%) of the total votes cast for governor at the most recent gubernatorial election; or (b) ten percent (10%) of the total votes cast for mayor at the most recent mayoral election. (2) Referendum petitions ordering that such ordinance or measure be submitted to the electors of The City for their approval or rejection shall be filed with the Director of Finance within thirty (30) days after any ordinance is approved after passage by Council, whether by Mayoral approval, being adopted without Mayor approval, or approval by Council after a veto by the Mayor, such petition shall be filed within thirty days after the Council has passed the ordinance or measure over the veto, ordering that such ordinance or measure be submitted to the electors of The City for their approval or rejection. The Finance Director shall, within ten (10) days, and not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the next regularly scheduled election, transmit a certified copy of the text of the ordinance or measure to the board of elections. The Finance Director shall transmit the petition to the board together with the certified copy of the ordinance or measure. The board shall examine all signatures on the petition to determine the number of electors of the municipal corporation who signed the petition. The board shall return the petition to the Finance Director within ten (10) days after receiving it, together with a statement attesting to the number of such electors who signed the petition. The board shall submit the ordinance or measure to the electors of The City, for their approval or rejection, at the next regularly scheduled election occurring subsequent to ninety days after the Finance Director certifies the sufficiency and validity of the petition to the board of elections. (3) No such ordinance or measure shall go into effect until approved by the majority of those voting upon it. (4) The filing of a valid referendum petition with the Finance Director shall suspend the effective date of the ordinance or resolution as provided in Section III-10 of this charter. (C) Initiative petition requirements: (1) An initiative petition shall be valid if signed by the lesser of: (a) four percent (4%) of the total votes cast for governor at the most recent gubernatorial election; or (b) eight percent (8%) of the total votes cast for mayor at the most recent mayoral election. Council shall, within thirty (30) days of filing, adopt or reject the proposed ordinance. (2) If Council rejects the proposed ordinance, upon certification of sufficient signatures, the proposed ordinance shall be submitted to the electors at the next regularly scheduled election occurring not less than ninety (90) days after certification. (3) When a petition is filed with the Finance Director, signed by the required number of electors proposing an ordinance or other measure, the Finance Director shall, no later than ten (10) days, transmit a certified copy of the text of the proposed ordinance or measure to the board of elections. The Finance Director shall transmit the petition to the board together with the certified copy of the proposed ordinance or other measure. The board shall examine all signatures on the petition to determine the number of electors of the municipal corporation who signed the petition. The board shall return the petition to the Finance Director within ten (10) days after receiving it, together with a statement attesting to the number of such electors who signed the petition. (4) The board shall submit such proposed ordinance or measure for the approval or rejection of the electors of The City at the next regularly scheduled election occurring subsequent to ninety days after the auditor or clerk certifies the sufficiency and validity of the initiative petition to the board of elections. No ordinance or other measure proposed by initiative petition and approved by a majority of the electors voting upon the measure in such municipal corporation shall be subject to the veto of the Mayor. (D) As used in this section, "certified copy" means a copy containing a written statement attesting it is a true and exact reproduction of the original proposed ordinance or other measure. Shall Article IX, Section IX-1 titled "Initiative and Referendum" be amended to restore a reasonable signature requirement for Referendums and provide a lesser signature requirement for Initiatives on Ordinances for citizens