University Area Commission – Governance Committee
Agenda – November 5, 2014
According to Article IV Section 7: The Governance Committee shall:
a. Implement these by laws and elections rules as required;
b. Research the effectiveness and applicability of these by laws and make recommendations to the Commission for amendments to the by laws;
c. Conduct the orientation of new commissioners;
d. Coordinate t he internal activities of the Commission.
Agenda:
- Review language in by laws around Group Commissioner
- Article II Section 1, paragraph c
- One member, to be known as a “Group Commissioner“, shall be appointed by the Commission upon nomination by each of the following area groups:
- Social, religious and charitable groups;
- Business groups; and
- Residential rental property owner groups.
A group is defined as a number of individuals who are considered as one or acting as one with membership and/or a common mission related primarily to a Group Commissioner category.
- Article II Section 2, paragraph c
- A term of office for a group commissioner shall be two years.
- Article II Section 3, paragraph a
- Members shall take office at the beginning of the Annual Meeting following the Board of Elections official report as set forth in Article IV, Section 2.
- By September 1 of each year, the Corresponding Secretary shall notify in writing all represented organizations that the term of their member shall end at the start of the annual meeting; and that it should submit in writing a representative to the Commission for the new term as set forth in Article II, Sections 1(b) and 1(C). This must be done by October 1 so that the Commission may certify the new members before the next annual meeting.
- Organizations in 1(b) shall be notified to appoint a commissioner.
- Organizations in 1(c) shall be notified to nominate a commissioner.
- Article II Section 4, paragraph b
- If a vacancy occurs in an organization or group seat on the Commission because of resignation, death, disqualification, or other means, the Corresponding Secretary shall give notice to the organization or group to fill the vacancy in the same manner as set forth in Article II, Section 1(b) and 1(c), to serve until the next Annual Meeting.
2. Discussion on the meaning of “Shall be appointed” from Article II Section 1, paragraph c
- Define Shall : – Merriam Webster
- :used to give a command or to say that you will or will not allow something to happen
- Define appointed: – Merriam Webster
- : to choose (someone) to have a particular job : to give (someone) a position or duty
- : to decide or establish (something) in an official way
- : to decide (the time or place at which something will happen or be done)
- Robert’s Rules of Order
- There is no exact definition of appointed, but in section 13 under NAMING MEMBERS TO A SPECIAL COMMITTEE page 167 RRONR 10th Ed Line 11 – “The names of all such nonmembers being appointed must be submitted to the assembly for approval…”
- Discussion Ohio sunshine law language about open meetings requirements in regards to Commissioners possibly discussion public business outside a public meeting.
- Majority of Members (Ohio Sunshine laws 2014)
- For there to be a “meeting” as defined under the Open Meetings Act, “a majority of a public body’s members must come together.”820 The term “majority” applies not only to the entire body, but also to any committee or subcommittee of that body.821 For instance, if a council is comprised of seven members, four would constitute a majority in determining whether the council as a whole is a “meeting.” However, if the council appoints a three-member finance committee, two of those members would constitute a majority of the finance committee.
- 820 Berner v. Woods, 2007-Ohio-6207, ¶ 17 (9th Dist.); Tyler v. Vill. of Batavia, 2010 Ohio-4078, ¶ 18 (12th Dist.) (No “meeting” occurred when only two of five Commission members attended a previously scheduled session).
- 821 State ex rel. Long v. Council of Cardington, 92 Ohio St.3d 54, 58-59, 2001-Ohio-130.
- For there to be a “meeting” as defined under the Open Meetings Act, “a majority of a public body’s members must come together.”820 The term “majority” applies not only to the entire body, but also to any committee or subcommittee of that body.821 For instance, if a council is comprised of seven members, four would constitute a majority in determining whether the council as a whole is a “meeting.” However, if the council appoints a three-member finance committee, two of those members would constitute a majority of the finance committee.
Committee Members 2014 Commission Year
| Commissioner | Present | Absent | Excused |
| Sharon Young | |||
| Jennifer Mankin | |||
| Jim Bach | |||
| Doreen Uhas-Sauer | |||
| Terra Goodnight | |||
| Colin Odden | |||
| Charles Robol | |||
| David Hegley |
Note: Agenda subject to change