Decatur council completes first reading of ordinance to place Charter Review Commission proposals on November ballot

The Decatur City Council on July 28 opened and closed a public hearing and completed the first reading of an ordinance to move recommended Charter Review Commission amendments toward placement on the November ballot.

Staff asked council to review a redline exhibit prepared by the Charter Review Commission (CRC) and called attention specifically to a clarification on page 19 that would expressly permit council members to serve on certain boards such as the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and advisory boards. Staff also noted a carryover CRC recommendation (referred to as item "W") that would clarify a forfeiture-of-office vote: the CRC language would require a three-quarter vote of the council's full membership but exclude the council member who is the subject of the forfeiture effort.

There was no public comment on the item during the hearing. Staff told council that tonight's action constituted the ordinance's…