Wednesday, January 31, 2001

Council gift to next PTC mayor: Less power?

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The mayor's powers will be curtailed if the Peachtree City Council approves revisions to the city charter suggested by City Attorney Rick Lindsey.

Gaining power would be the city manager, under the proposed revisions to the city's basic governing document.

For starters, the mayor's veto power would be taken away. But the change also takes the mayor's current role of supervising the city and gives that to the city manager.

The mayor would remain the chief executive officer of the city under the new charter, however.

Council is scheduled to discuss the charter review process at its regular meeting Thursday at 7 p.m.

Current Mayor Bob Lenox, a controversial figure during his two terms, has the remaining 11 months of this year to serve before a term limits provision sidelines him from the city's top slot.

Mentioned as possible candidates to succeed him are current council members Annie McMenamin and Dan Tennant, activist Steve Brown, former planning commission member Willis Granger, real estate executive Tate Godfrey and former council member and former state representative Dan Lakly.

The charter review process was initiated by council member Carol Fritz, who said the document is outdated since it was originally created when Peachtree City was much smaller.

Fritz said the charter, which was originally enacted in 1959, has served the city well, but it is outdated in several ways. It's also important to clarify the structure of city government so the citizens can understand how it works, she said, particularly because local residents often approach council members about city-related issues.

"I want to hear from people about what is going on and what is perceived to be going on in Peachtree City," Fritz said. "How can you make policy decisions if you don't listen to the people? ... We still need contact with people and employees also so we can better understand how to serve our city."

The current city charter does not specifically address the duties of the city manager, which is one reason council plans to update the charter.

Proposed new language in the charter would allow council to remove the city manager by a majority vote and, if necessary, suspend the manager with pay and appoint a temporary replacement. The new charter also specifically outlines the powers and duties of the city manager.

The new charter also outlines that the city clerk will report to the city manager, although removal or termination of the clerk may be done only by council.

The manner of filling vacancies on council also is addressed in the charter revisions. Vacancies for unexpired terms of 12 months or less will be filled with an appointment by council; otherwise, a special election will be scheduled to fill the seat, although council can appoint an individual to that seat until the special election is held.

The appointment process council will use shall be determined by the mayor, according to the charter revisions. Those procedures must be given to council members at least 10 days before the meeting during which the appointment is to be considered, the revised charter states.