Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City Council unanimously adopts seven charter amendments at special meeting
Summary
At a special meeting on Aug. 4, 2025, the City Council approved seven separate amendments to the city charter, changing language on mayoral powers, meeting terminology, ordinance procedures, police commission complaints, library board size, public nuisances, and appointment of the utility director.
The City Council on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, voted unanimously to adopt seven separate amendments to the city charter during a special meeting called at 4:30 p.m. Each ordinance was considered and adopted individually following second consideration.
The amendments make targeted changes to multiple charter sections rather than creating new policy. City Manager Dalton presented the changes as part of the charter commission's annual cleanup, and Director Jorgensen conducted the roll calls for each vote.
The council approved ordinance 2025-102 to amend City Charter section 28, removing language that referred to veto power and adding a cross-reference to section 71 so the mayor’s duties and powers read consistently with the charter. The council adopted ordinance 2025-103 to amend section 60, replacing the term “members” with “councilors” in the special meetings provision.
Ordinance 2025-104 amended section 66 to broaden the language about licenses so it is not limited to “business” licenses and to require notice by electronic notification rather than specifying only email. Ordinance 2025-105 amended sections 87 and 88 for the police department and police commission: a redundant line was removed from section 87 and section 88 was clarified so complaints made to the city manager or police chief regarding officer misconduct shall be filed with the police commission for its consideration before appointments or promotions are finalized.
The council approved ordinance 2025-106 to amend section 101 reducing the library board from nine members to seven; the transcript indicates existing positions will not be forcibly removed as members age out, and vacancies will not be filled until the board reaches seven members. Ordinance 2025-107 added a title, “Public Nuisances,” to section 180 where no title previously appeared. Ordinance 2025-108 amended section 221 to change the duties of the city manager: appointment and removal of the utility director will be subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission.
Each ordinance was moved, seconded and put to a roll-call vote. Director Jorgensen recorded affirmative votes from Councilor Christian, Councilor Warmcutt, Councilor Schmitz, Councilor Mack, Council President Becker and Mayor Bakker on every item; there were no recorded negative votes, abstentions or recusals. The council chair closed the meeting by thanking the Charter Commission for its work updating charter language.
There was no extended public debate or substantive amendment recorded in the transcript; the session focused on the second consideration and adoption of the listed charter changes. With no further business, the council adjourned the special meeting.
