On Monday, December 1, 2008 Mr. Zubek addressed Council regarding the long term adversely impact this legislation will have on future Councils..........."At the end of the Council meeting of September 15 Council adopted, by motion, a City Council Policy for Origination of Legislation. Based on available public record this policy was developed by the recently formed Legislative Policy Committee. FROM THE SUMMARY OF CAUCUS MINUTES HELD PRIOR TO THE COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICY IS NOT INTENDED TO DENY COUNCIL MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST LEGISLATION BUT RATHER TO PUT PROCEDURES IN PLACE PRIOR TO INTRODUCING OR DRAFTING ANY UNUSUAL OR CONTROVERSIAL REQUESTS FOR LEGISLATION WHICH MAY RAISE ISSUES WITH LEGALITY, CONSTITUTIONALLY, VALIDITY OR WHICH MAY ADVERSELY IMPACE CITY GOVERNMENT OR COMMUNITY. The Visconsi/North Howe Road retail expansion litegation cost was identified as something that this policy would help to avoid. Review of the Visconsi legal battle suggests that the matter could have been avoided if Council in 1996 had acted in the same manner that it did in responding to Ordinance 2006-69 (an Ordinance of the City of Strongsville in order to establish a new mixed use District....on Pearl Road south of Drake.) IN THE END 2206-69 WAS VOTED DOWN BY COUNCIL BY A VOTE OF 6 to 1. Per the new policy...this policy is not intended to apply to any of the various routine requests for legislation ( MOST OF WHICH ARE GENERATED BY THE ADMINISTRATION) with the cooperation of the Counci Committee Chair...RATHER ONLY TO THOSE FEW REQUESTS BY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL which on their face...otherwise would appear to potentially impact upon City Government. THAT THIS COUNCIL SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING IN PLACE A POLICY TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF A MEMBER OF THIS ELECTED BODY TO DRAFT LEGISLATION TO PRESENT TO THE BODY( a problem or opportunity) that is within its' providence to do. And while done, AS IT NOW EXISTS, THIS POLICY COULD BE OVERTURNED BY A NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM. However the INTENT APPEARS TO BE TO MAKE THIS POLICY, WITHIN SIX MONTHS A PART OF A CODIFICATION WITH THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SCO 220.06 legislation. TO INCORPORATE SUCH PROCEDURES IN THE FORMAL RULES OF COULCIL WILL HINDER THE ABILITY OF FUTURE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP TO SERVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. Your action to stop one "thorn in the side" of this Body should not be used to restrict the ability of the next Leadership team to legislatively guide this city into the future.

TO COMMENT VISIT: asktonyzubek.blogspot.com

My Links