League of Women Voters to study city charters

Correction: The original version of this article listed an incorrect location. The program will be held at Westlake Porter Public Library.

City charters will be the topic for discussion at the Thursday, April 21, meeting of the Westlake/North Olmsted chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. The program will take place at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, and will begin at 10:30 a.m. 

Since the chapter’s jurisdiction involves two cities, a comparative review of charter provisions is helpful to members in observing and supporting municipal services. Member Janice Patterson, who has served on charter commissions in two cities in Cuyahoga County, will lead the discussion. The public is welcome to attend. 

The side-by-side cities have different approaches to charter review. In Westlake, the Charter Review Committee is a 9-person body that is appointed every 10 years (beginning January 1979) for the specific job of reviewing the charter and recommending changes. Six of the members are appointed by ward councilpersons and three are appointed by the mayor.

In North Olmsted, the Charter Review Commission is a standing committee of seven persons, each with 5-year terms. Four are appointed by council and three are appointed by the mayor. The CRC is mandated to conduct a review every five years beginning January 2005 and also may be called upon to review charter amendments that are proposed by Council. 

The charters for both cities are searchable online at the respective city websites.