Travis Dotson

The special session of the Village of Georgetown Council included an Executive Session initiated to consider employment, compensation, dismissal, or discipline of a public employee. Upon reconvening, no announcements were made. The Mayor subsequently announced a future special council meeting scheduled for Monday, August 16, 2021.

The meeting began with the swearing in of commission members and a discussion of the charter process, including resources available to the commission and suggestions for transparency. A vacancy on the commission was filled. Officers were elected, including a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. Information on open meeting and public record laws, as well as ethics rules, was provided. A meeting schedule was established, and the use of Robert's Rules of Order was discussed. A scribe was appointed to draft the charter document, and the process for sharing drafts online was agreed upon.

The commission discussed the preamble, boundaries, form, and general powers of the village. A draft preamble was adopted, and the Archbold charter was chosen as a template, with modifications made to reflect Georgetown's specifics. Discussions covered the incorporation of ORC defaults, the handling of changes and revisions, and the public notification process. Future meeting locations were also considered. Questions regarding legal aspects were raised and plans were made to consult with the solicitor.

The Georgetown Charter Commission meeting involved discussions on public participation, clarifying previous comments and suggestions for effective communication. Amendments were made to sections 3.02, 3.06, 3.08, 3.10, and 4.01 of the charter, addressing quorum, council member removal, meeting frequency, and mayoral term. Significant discussion focused on the Mayor's role, including qualifications, removal procedures, and veto power. The commission also discussed the Administrator's appointment and qualifications, deciding to postpone further discussion to a later meeting.

The meeting involved swearing in a new member, reviewing and amending the minutes of the previous meeting, and discussing the Preamble and General Provisions of the Georgetown Charter. Significant discussion centered on Articles I and II, including changes to wording and the removal of the term "contiguous" from Article 1.02. The Preamble was finalized, and Article XIII (General Provisions) was reviewed and amended, with changes made to sections on oaths of office, conflict of interest, charter amendments, charter review, and disposal of property. A press release was drafted and finalized for submission. Public participation included discussions on nepotism and the village's name.