Pat Nikolai, chair of the Charter Review Committee, convened the Nov. 19 meeting where staff summarized recent ad hoc subcommittee work and several subcommittees appointed volunteer leads.

Staff said Group 1 (power and structure) met Nov. 12 and focused on meeting logistics, expanding defined terms, and clarifying the 30‑day residency requirement in section 600 and ordinance publication timing in sections 805–815. Staff highlighted that “there’s some lack of clarity there as to what that means and how that applies,” and recommended the committee consider clearer wording and additional definitions.

Group 1 members volunteered to lead their subcommittee: a chair volunteered and member Kelly agreed to serve as vice chair; the secretary will be determined at the next meeting. Staff said the group will meet again tentatively on Dec. 15, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Group 4 (boards and commissions) reported it had met Nov. 13 with limited attendance and identified priorities such as clarifying appointment, reappointment and removal processes for boards and commissions and ensuring charter language aligns with the Brown Act. Staff cited section 1003 as an example of language needing clean‑up because it currently allows a majority to close meetings without the specific Brown Act findings required by law.

Group 5 (civil service) reported a robust discussion of civil service history, misaligned language on classified vs. unclassified employees and an out‑of‑date list of unclassified positions. Sue Reuter and member Roberts said the group plans incremental drafting of updates; the group volunteered member Beckman as chair, member Peters as vice chair and member Roberts as secretary, and set next meetings for Dec. 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. and Jan. 5, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Public comment included resident Wanda Buck, who asked, “how might ethics be addressed, in our city’s government in this process, both specifically and in general.” Staff said the boards and commissions ad hoc subcommittee will consider whether to recommend an ethics committee or charter provisions addressing ethics and noted that any recommendation would be brought back to the full CRC for action.

The committee approved the Oct. 22, 2025 minutes by motion and second; members present recorded affirmative responses. Staff emphasized the need to frame redline changes and explanatory materials for voters, noting limits on ballot text and the city attorney’s impartial analysis that will accompany any measure.