Commission discusses possible charter referendums on a Department of Health and toxic trespass protections

At the Nov. 20 Charter Review Commission meeting, members discussed drafting proposed referendum questions that could include creating a city Department of Health and adding toxic trespass protections to the charter. Commissioners said community health concerns, including cancer rates and contamination at some sites, drove interest in exploring charter-based remedies.

The chair and other members urged commission workgroups to draft possible referendum language and submit ideas by Nov. 30 for discussion at the commission's Dec. 4 meeting. A commissioner said a prior petition on toxic trespass attracted "2,000 and some odd people" and described public appetite for updated action; the commission directed members to collect proposals and prioritize them for December discussion.

Members also cautioned that any charter-based proposals must be reconciled with existing state and federal laws. One participant offered to share prior state law drafts with the commission for reference. Commissioners agreed the December meetings would be used to refine potential referendum language before public hearings in mid-December.

No binding decisions were made at the meeting to place these items on a ballot; the session focused on drafting and scheduling. The next procedural step is for commissioners to email proposed referendum questions to the chair by Nov. 30 and to prepare to discuss them at the Dec. 4 meeting.