Council debates charter revisions: employee eligibility and property‑owner voting rights
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Summary
Council discussed MTAS feedback on four proposed charter changes, focusing on whether to bar certain employees from running for council and on voting rights for property owners who own multiple parcels inside the city.
City staff said MTAS had returned an opinion on four draft charter changes and asked council for direction so MTAS can draft resolution language. City attorney said MTAS recommended further review on a proposal that would prohibit certain employees from running for council; staff will seek a written opinion from MTAS counsel and report back.
Councilors also debated a provision affecting property owners who own multiple parcels inside the city. Some members said property owners who pay taxes should have the right to vote on council seats, while others expressed concern that allowing owners of multiple properties to select different voting properties every two years could create an imbalance with resident voters. Staff explained the practical effect: an individual owning multiple city properties may designate one property for a vote but cannot cast multiple votes in the same election.
Council directed staff to continue the conversation and indicated willingness to refine language; staff said it would reach out to MTAS counsel for further legal guidance and return with draft language and clarifications.