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Astoria council begins charter review talk, considers vacancy rules, city attorney duties and adding at-large seats
Summary
City councilors outlined four proposed charter changes—vacancy/appointment rules, consolidation of appointed-officer language (including defining the city attorney), committee appointment consent, and expanding council to seven members—and discussed timing for voter consideration, public input and logistical steps to place items on the ballot.
Astoria City Council members used their Nov. 24 work session to begin a multi-part review of the city charter, identifying four priority changes and a timeline that could bring some items to voters in November 2026 if council directs staff to prepare ballot language.
Councilor Davis presented four items he ranked by priority: 1) revise vacancy and quorum language so remaining councilors can appoint replacements when the council is below quorum; 2) consolidate appointment and removal language for appointed officers and add an explicit city attorney section defining duties; 3) add council consent to mayoral committee appointments; and 4) consider expanding the council by adding two at-large seats (moving from five to seven members) and discussing the mayor’s role. Councilors debated whether to present each amendment as a separate ballot measure so voters may decide individually.
Staff explained how calendar deadlines shape the choice of election: an August 14 deadline is needed to prepare ballot titles for a November election. Several councilors favored aiming for the November general election to increase turnout and allow time for public outreach; others stressed taking the time to work through precise language and to consider appointing a review body or holding listening sessions. Council members also discussed whether procedural items such as annual evaluations belong in the charter or should remain in personnel contracts and council policy.
On appointed officers, councilors supported consolidating duplicate charter language and adding clearer duties for the city attorney, who currently lacks a detailed charter section. On committee appointments, members considered adding a consent step so the mayor’s appointments require council approval. Regarding council size, proposals ranged from adding two at-large members to a more sweeping change that would remove the mayor and select a council president to run meetings.
No charter amendments were finalized at the work session. Staff recommended two more work sessions over the next three to five months, public engagement steps, and refining proposed language before any formal motion to place items on the ballot. The council adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
