Yes. City Councils are empowered by Section 713.01 of the Ohio Revised Code to change the membership from anywhere to four to twelve members. But we have to remember, that 90% of the legislation that is brought up in front of the City Council is on the written recommendation of the Service and Safety Director. If the Service and Safety Director doesn't actively recommend and/or residents don't actively advocate for this change, this will not happen.
I filled out one of these application forms for the planning commission, but I assume that I will never get the call to serve, since it is completely at the discretion of the mayor.
And that is a bit worrisome. I have heard from other people that have either gone through a formalized training program (Leadership Troy) that have not had a positive response. It leads to questions on whether programs like Leadership Troy have any utility in our community moving foward. It is certainly something to think about.
Could you address what might be done to change Troy’s method of committee appointment process that would strengthen it, while still maintaining the form of city government Troy has. If there is nothing that can be done legislatively then say so.
There are probably legislative options that are open, but each committee and board is created through separate ordinances on the local level and any change would undertake a pretty comprehensive rewrite of the code. In addition, compelling certain performance of executive officials from a legislative act is fraught with perils. What happens when the code is not performed? What recourse is there? Ideally, a process would be put forward that the Mayor and Council would agree upon and all would work to implement.
Is it possible to increase the number of planning commission members to better represent the community? See ohio revised code sec 713.01
Yes. City Councils are empowered by Section 713.01 of the Ohio Revised Code to change the membership from anywhere to four to twelve members. But we have to remember, that 90% of the legislation that is brought up in front of the City Council is on the written recommendation of the Service and Safety Director. If the Service and Safety Director doesn't actively recommend and/or residents don't actively advocate for this change, this will not happen.
I filled out one of these application forms for the planning commission, but I assume that I will never get the call to serve, since it is completely at the discretion of the mayor.
And that is a bit worrisome. I have heard from other people that have either gone through a formalized training program (Leadership Troy) that have not had a positive response. It leads to questions on whether programs like Leadership Troy have any utility in our community moving foward. It is certainly something to think about.
Could you address what might be done to change Troy’s method of committee appointment process that would strengthen it, while still maintaining the form of city government Troy has. If there is nothing that can be done legislatively then say so.
There are probably legislative options that are open, but each committee and board is created through separate ordinances on the local level and any change would undertake a pretty comprehensive rewrite of the code. In addition, compelling certain performance of executive officials from a legislative act is fraught with perils. What happens when the code is not performed? What recourse is there? Ideally, a process would be put forward that the Mayor and Council would agree upon and all would work to implement.
Your excellent reply would make for a good future article.
Thanks Kent, I will put some more thought into it!