Charter Commission refers appointment-confirmation questions to government-structure committee

The Charter Commission on Wednesday discussed how the city’s charter and a 2022 government structure ordinance differ on who appoints and confirms department heads and voted to refer those questions to the commission’s government structure committee for further work. Chair Peter Ginder said, “Our main, agenda item is related to the appointment confirmation process for department heads.”

The referral followed a staff overview of background materials. “For the commission's reference, the packet I handed out to you is what I'm gonna be going over,” City Clerk Carl told commissioners, noting the packet includes an organizational chart, links to the 2021 charter amendment on government structure (charter amendment No. 184), the 2022 government structure ordinance, and a LEMS file of council actions. Carl summarized the current structure as a mayor elected as the chief executive, a 13-member council, and two other elected policy bodies (the Park and Recreation Board and the Board of Estimate and Taxation), with appointed executive…