Commission outlines schedule for charter report, staff recommends removing historical provisions and schedules CFO/council discussion

City staff told the Charter Revision Commission on March 4 that the commission must submit its draft report to the Common Council by May 30, 2025 and that there are about eight meetings remaining in the commission—s schedule. Staff recommended removing chapters 13 and 14 of the charter — described as historical provisions covering Norwalk Harbor, streets, sidewalks, building lines, certain pension references, assessment appeals and department-specific rules — and vetting that recommendation with department heads.

Staff explained those historical provisions largely duplicate powers governed by state law (the Municipal Powers Act) and said the prior charter commission intended to isolate and repeal them. The staff member told commissioners he expected to provide a memo in April summarizing department reviews and that the commission should focus in March and April on outstanding finance provisions so it can finalize decisions by May.

Commissioners agreed to invite Common Council leadership and the city CFO to the next meeting to walk through proposed changes to the operating and capital budget calendars. Several commissioners raised drafting questions about aligning department submission dates, clarifying the role of the Planning and Zoning/PNC body for capital projects, and whether a 10-year capital plan should be in charter language; some said a 10-year plan in the charter would be nonbinding and better handled in administrative policy.

No charter text changes were finalized at the meeting. Staff will circulate a proposed CFO memo and an updated drafting grid before the next scheduled meeting on March 18, 2025.