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Rosemead council opens continued review of draft city charter, schedules more hearings
Summary
Council received an overview of a draft city charter — including proposed term limits, possible authority for a city prosecutor and economic development powers — heard public opposition, and directed staff to notice an additional public hearing for April 21, 2026.
City Attorney Richmond briefed the Rosemead City Council on a draft city charter, outlining several provisions under consideration and the process for placing a charter question before voters.
Richmond said the draft would convert Rosemead from a general-law to a charter city if voters approve, potentially restoring authorities such as some economic-development powers and allowing the city to adopt local purchasing or veteran preference policies. The draft also includes an approach to term limits (a limit tied to five 4‑year terms, with partial terms counting toward the limit) and provides an option for the city to create a municipal prosecutor to handle local enforcement, though Richmond and staff emphasized that creating such a prosecutor would require later ordinance-level decisions on scope and implementation.
Resident Brian Lewin told the council he strongly opposed the charter as currently framed and said entrenching term limits and other provisions would make future changes more difficult; he said he would actively campaign against placing it on the ballot. Council discussion focused on whether the draft protects existing restrictions (for example, following state law on council member compensation and competitive bidding for public works), how much local control the city would regain, and whether the proposed charter would lead to unintended authority (Council Member Margaret Clark emphasized that the charter, as drafted, retains state-law constraints on compensation and bidders).
After public comment and discussion, Council Member Steven Lee moved — and Mayor Pro Tem Potemapoli Lo seconded — that staff file formal notice for a continued public hearing on April 21, 2026. The motion passed by roll-call vote, 5–0.
Council members asked staff to ensure the draft language and supporting materials are available to the public in advance of the next hearing so residents can review specific charter provisions before additional public comment and formal deliberation.
