Council President McCullough introduced a motion to begin a broad review (described by him as a “charter cleanup” or process improvement) of the city charter and to send that work to the Law & Education Committee. He said the charter had not been “touched in 20 years” and argued some provisions impede efficient hiring and operations.

Councilmember Donovic and others objected to the motion’s phrasing and scope, calling the charter the city’s constitution and warning that broad amendments could produce major structural changes. Donovic said charter amendments require a public vote and a lengthy legal and petition process, and urged that any review be focused and handled in the appropriate committee with defined goals.

Several residents and commenters urged caution. City resident Chris Sanders warned a comprehensive charter commission could open “a whole can of worms,” including changing the government form or election methods. Eileen McDonough and others said selective, well-scoped reviews are more practicable than a sweeping rewrite.

After debate and a proposed redirect to the Law & Education Committee, the clerk recorded votes: Councilwoman Toye and President McCullough voted yes; Council members Donovic, Budzinski, Morgan and Vice President Tashnick voted no. The motion failed 2–4.

Councilmembers who opposed the motion said they remain open to reviewing specific charter provisions (for example, hiring or procurement language) but did not support a broad, open-ended charter cleanup at this meeting.