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Rules Committee asks staff to draft Charter Review Commission selection process and timeline
Summary
Lee's Summit Rules Committee voted to direct city staff to draft a selection process, timeline and outreach steps for a Charter Review Commission, including a possible online application and district-based appointments, with the commission expected to meet in 2026 and submit ballot items for an April 2027 election.
The Lee's Summit Rules Committee on Jan. 13 directed city staff to prepare formal language for a Charter Review Commission selection process, including deadlines for council nominations and a public application option on the city's boards-and-commissions webpage.
The committee said it wants the council to set a clear deadline for council members to submit nominees, preserve district-based representation, and make the appointment process visible to residents. "The Charter Review Commission shall consist of at least 8 qualified voters of the city, none of whom shall be an elected official of the city," Mr. Head, a city staff member, told the committee while reading the charter requirement (Section 14.8). Committee members discussed using the same 12-member structure used previously — three nominees per district — to meet the charter's limit that no more than 30% of commissioners reside in a single council district.
Committee members said the timeline should be deliberate but prompt. Under the schedule discussed, the council would establish the process by the end of this year, appoint commissioners in the fall, the commission would meet during 2026, and any recommended charter amendments would be certified to the council for placement on an April 2027 ballot. "By the fall of this year, the council will need to appoint that commission," Mr. Head said during the discussion.
The committee also asked staff to add a way for residents to submit interest online through the city's regular boards-and-commissions application, with staff verifying applicants' voting addresses and forwarding them to the appropriate council members. "If there are council members that are going to be doing district forums... it’d be a great opportunity for people that are interested in serving on the commission to approach you," a staff member told the committee.
Members emphasized the council intends to keep the process flexible but transparent. Chairperson Shields said starting early and having a deadline would give potential nominees time to consider service and allow council members to vet candidates. Council member Hodges said she supports ensuring district representation but noted a preference for more experienced appointees where possible.
Next steps: staff will draft proposed ordinance/resolution language with nomination deadlines and bring that draft back to the committee for further review before forwarding to the full council. The committee asked staff to model the online application on the existing boards-and-commissions form and add a checkbox for Charter Review Commission interest.
