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Charter Review Commission drafts extension letter to city council; motion withdrawn for revision
Summary
Commissioners debated a draft letter asking city council for a six-month extension of the commission's review period. The motion to send the letter was withdrawn after members asked for revisions and more precise framing; the item will return to the next meeting.
The Charter Review Commission discussed and debated a draft letter to Reading City Council asking for a six-month extension of the commission's statutory review period and then withdrew a motion to send it so the letter can be revised.
"As members of the Charter Review Commission of the City Of Reading, I respectfully submit this formal request for an extension of 6 months of our mandate dated review period," the draft letter prepared by Chair Adela Rodriguez states (reading from the circulated text). The draft cited Section 12 o 3 of the Home Rule Charter and said delays in convening the commission had reduced the time available for a thorough, inclusive review.
Commissioners disagreed on timing and tone. Some members urged waiting until the group had completed more substantive review work before asking council for extra time. "I think it's way too early to submit to council a document stating that we have not had enough time to do our job when we have barely started it," one commissioner said, arguing the request was premature.
Other commissioners said the delay in appointments and organization should be put on record for council. The city managing director and finance director were later notified the commission had requested a $15,000 appropriation for its work; staff said that request had been acknowledged and was under consideration.
What happened procedurally: a motion to send the letter on the commission's behalf was made and seconded, but the mover later withdrew the motion and committed to revising the draft and returning it to the commission at next week's meeting. The transcript records that the chair agreed to "withdraw the motion" and bring a rewritten version back.
Why it matters: Section 12 o 3 of Reading's Home Rule Charter requires the commission to submit a report within six months of appointment. Commissioners said delays in forming and organizing the panel have compressed the effective review period and argued for formally notifying council of that timeline impact.
Next steps: the chair will revise the draft to reflect commissioners' concerns (including reframing the timeline question rather than beginning with "we haven't had enough time") and present it for approval at the next meeting.
