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Council moves to place multiple charter amendments on May ballot; debate over mayor veto language and compensation remains
Summary
Council directed staff to draft an ordinance placing up to 15–16 charter propositions on the May ballot to align the city charter with state law; councilors debated removing a confusing reference about mayoral veto/modification (Section 3.05) and whether to include an elected-official compensation item.
City Council instructed staff to draft ballot language for a slate of proposed Charter Review Committee recommendations to appear on a May election ballot, focusing on cleaning the charter and aligning it with state law while debating whether to remove a confusing reference to mayoral veto powers and whether to include elected-official compensation.
Staff introduced the committee’s six recommended amendments and an additional set of proposed edits. The discussion focused on Section 3.05, which the committee said contains language that could be read as prohibiting a mayoral veto or unilateral modification of ordinances — an authority that does not exist under state law. “Whether it’s included on the ballot or not, it doesn’t change the result,” a staff presenter said, arguing the provision is confusing and could be removed for clarity.
Several council members supported removing the veto reference to reduce confusion; one council member said, “I would advocate for pulling that piece of it, but, obviously, leaving [the plats and mayor signature provisions].” Other councilors expressed mixed views on an item that would set compensation for elected officials, with some noting they did not run for office for pay and others saying it could influence future candidacies. Council direction was to move forward with drafting the ordinance for a first reading and public hearing at an upcoming meeting, with staff preparing the language for public review.
The council also discussed practical issues for a May election, including ballot length and voter attention, and emphasized the desire to produce a clean, state-law-compliant charter. Council members said the May timing helps voters focus on charter measures rather than a crowded November ballot.
Council gave staff direction to prepare the proposed propositions (with the veto language suggested to be removed from the initial package) for formal first reading and public hearing as required by statute.
