Title
Discuss the slate list of Charter Review Committee members and the appointment of a Chair.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Mayor Pro Tem Tina Bennett-Burton
BACKGROUND:
At the June 17, 2025, City Council meeting, the Council directed that a Charter Election be held in May 2027, with the Committee being convened in September 2025 to allow for adequate time for the Committee to review the Charter.
DISCUSSION:
Article IX, Section 9.20 of the City Charter states:
The City Council shall, beginning in 2028, and thereafter, appoint a committee at least every five (5) years to review this Charter and to make appropriate recommendations to the City Council. The committee shall be appointed not later than July 1 of the year in which the committee is required to be appointed. The committee shall consist of at least thirteen (13) members with at least two (2) members appointed from each City Council District, and up to at least two (2) members nominated by the Mayor. The City Council shall select the chairperson for the committee. The Mayor shall be entitled to vote on the appointment of members to the Committee.
At the June 17, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council requested that the Committee be allowed to choose its own Chairperson. To ensure compliance with the City Charter, staff consulted with the City Attorney, who determined that the City Council should appoint the chair.
The Charter states that there shall be at least 13 members on the Committee, with one of those members serving as the chairperson. To allow Charter members an opportunity to participate in choosing their chairperson, the Committee members can discuss and recommend a chairperson, which would then be brought before the Council for an official vote, thus ensuring compliance with the City Charter.
The City Attorney has also recommended that meetings of the Charter Review Committee be held once a month from September 2025 to October 2026, for a total of 14 meetings, with the final recommendations for changes to the City Charter being presented to the Council in October.
Council will review the slate list of recommended appointees and provide directions to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Increased legal fees based on attendance at Charter Review Committee meetings and any legal research and document drafting that must be conducted.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. List of Prior Charter Review Committee Members
2. Slate List of Appointees and Topics of Discussion
3. Presentation