Organization Structure Subcommittee Draft Report
The Organizational Structure Subcommittee (OSS) reviewed the respective government structures. Their charge, thereafter, was to follow the Joint Resolution the two cities adopted on July 27, 2005:
"a. The primary purpose of the JSC shall be to carefully study theadvantages and disadvantages of merging the two Cities.
b. This process may have other ancillary results such as considering further resource sharing, services consolidation, and new partnerships."
The Organization Subcommitte states as its purpose in their report:
"I. Purpose of Subcommittee. The purpose of the Organizational Structure Subcommittee includes reviewing and making recommendations regarding the administrative and legislative forms of government, the city charters, and the geography of legislative districts/wards if the Cities of Clayton and Richmond Heights were to merge."
For whatever its reasons, the OSS simply made up its own agenda and purpose and rather than submitting a report that addresses the advantages and disadvantages of merging, offers an implementation plan if the cities were to merge.
As representatives of the citizens of Clayton and Richmond Heights, it is incumbent upon the JSC to abide by the resolutions the cities adopted, repudiate this report, and instruct the OSS to reissue a report that respects the JSC purpose and delineates the advantages and disadvantages of merging or ancillary results.
posted by Andrew Rochman
2 COMMENTS
2 Comments:
Andy:
I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, the Organizational Structure Committee (OSS) did exactly what it was charged to do: Come up with suggestions for an organizational structure of the a combined City solely "if the Cities of Clayton and Richmond Heights were to merge" as the ROSS stated in its report. Of course, it is the job of the JSC to consider that question and then for the 2 elected bodies to do so,and then ultimately for the residents to vote on the issue.
But the JSC has to have information and facts to consider and act upon, and so it the job of all the Subcommittees to examine, analyze, review and then prepare an appropriate reports for discussion and action by the JSC.
In the months ahead other Subcommittees will be preparing their reports; for example, what a combined Public Works Dept. or a merged Parks Dept. might achieve or what disadvantages there might be.
So please stay with the process. It is not perfect but it seeks to be thorough and open.
Thanks, Ben
(email response made on 6/24/06)
Andy:
I agree with you the purpose of the Joint Study Committee (JSC) is to study the advantages and disadvantages of a merger and ancillary results. (Section I a and b of the Procedures which Clayton and Richmond Heights adopted).
But those same Procedures then provide for the appointment of Subcommittees as follows: "The JSC shall establish subcommittees to examine, consider and make recommendations to the JSC". (Section II a).
And that's just what the Organizational Structures Subcommittee (OSS) is endeavoring to do. It is certainly not saying there should be a merger; only that if the JSC, after studying the advantages and disadvantages of a merger, believes a merger makes sense, then here are some recommended guidelines for the basic structure of such a combined city. And, of course, the "JSC may approve, disapprove or modify any subcommittee recommendations". (Section I j of the Procedures).
I hope this may be helpful to you and others.
Thanks, Ben
(email response made on 6/27/06)
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