u might have RESTRICTED on in chanserv,
[09:07] <ChanServ> Syntax: SET channel RESTRICTED {ON | OFF}
[09:07] <ChanServ>
[09:07] <ChanServ> Enables or disables the restricted access option for a
[09:07] <ChanServ> channel. When restricted access is set, users who would
[09:07] <ChanServ> normally be disallowed from having channel operator
[09:07] <ChanServ> privileges (users with negative access levels and, if
[09:07] <ChanServ> secure ops is set, users not on the access list) will
[09:07] <ChanServ> instead be kicked and banned from the channel.
try turning it off