(A) Commencing on or about January 1st of 2027 and then five (5) years thereafter, a Charter Review Commission composed of seven (7) Commissioners who are and continue to be electors of the Village, shall be established to review this Charter. The Council shall appoint five (5) Commissioners and the Mayor shall appoint two (2) Commissioners. In making appointments, Council and the Mayor shall make a good faith effort to ensure that the Charter Review Commission is reflective of the Village in terms of diversity. No Commissioner may hold any other office or employment with the Village. Members shall serve until the Commission's recommendations have been submitted to Council not later than six (6) months after the first official meeting.
(B) The Charter Review Commission shall, in public meetings, review in a comprehensive and thorough manner tbe Village's Charter. In the six (6) months following the establishment of each Charter Review Commission, the Commission shall recommend to Council and the Mayor such amendments, including alterations, additions, or deletion, if any, to this Charter as in it judgment are conducive to the public interest. The Charter Review Commission shall invite and consider proposed amendments and revisions from the Village Administration, Council and Residents. In presenting its recommendations, the Commission shall reserve sufficient time for Council and the public to review the proposed amendments and for Council to make appropriate alterations, additions, or deletions prior to final Council action on them. Any proposed amendment that Council approve by a two-third vote shall be timely submitted to the County Board of Elections for presentation to the electors of the Village at the November General Election of 2027, and then each five (5) years thereafter, in a manner otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and the Constitution of Ohio.
(C) Citizen Notification. Not less than thirty (30) days prior to such election the Clerk of Council shall notify residents in a newspaper of general circulation in the Village. plus the notice as required by the ordinances of the Village. If such proposed amendment is approved bv a majority of the electors voting thereon, it shall become a part of this Charter.
(Amended November 8, 2022)
(D) The Charter Review Commission must have an organizational meeting within thirty (30) days of the date of the commencement of the elected members terms and shall meet at least once a month thereafter with additional meetings as necessary until such time as the Commission has completed their review and recommendations to Council.
(E) Elected Officials, officers, and employees of the Village of Woodmere shall not be eligible to become candidates for and serve as members of the Charter Review Commission.
(F) Members shall serve without compensation.
(G) If an elected member resigns or a vacancy occurs for any other reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the candidate certified by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections as having received the next highest vote at that election.
(H) Meetings of the Charter Review Commission shall be open to the public. Candidates for the Charter Review Commission must be residents and qualified electors of the Village for a period of two (2) years prior to the Board of Elections filing deadline for the office of Charter Review Commission Member.
(I) The Charter Review Commission shall study and review the provisions of the Charter and shall report its recommendations, if any, for proposed amendments to the Village of Woodmere Charter within time period specified in subsection (C) above.
(J) A majority of the members of the Charter Review Commission shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of official Commission business; however, when considering the question of whether a particular amendment or revision should be recommended to the Council for consideration, a majority of four (4) members of the Charter Review Commission shall be necessary.
(K) Review of Recommendations. The Village Council shall review the recommendations of the Charter Review Commission Report. The Village Council, by the affirmative vote of at least five of its members, may place amendment(s) to the Village Charter as proposed by the Charter Review Commission on the ballot at the next regular municipal election.
(Amended 11-8-11)
(Amended 11-8-11)