Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Modernization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charter review panel requests legal rewrite of outdated publishing and oath language
Summary
The committee asked the city attorney to draft modernized charter language to remove or update 14 references to an 'official city newspaper,' align publication and archival practices with digital notice and public-record requirements, and clarify oath-of-office wording; staff and a public commenter urged archival protections and accessible notice methods.
Everett — The Charter Review Committee asked the city attorney on April 23 to draft updated charter language to modernize several outdated provisions, including multiple references to an official newspaper of record and broad oath-of-office language.
Committee members and the city clerk’s office identified at least 14 charter and code references that still require publication in an official city newspaper. Public commenter Alice Hedges provided a document listing changes she recommends; committee members and staff urged balancing archival needs with cost and accessibility.
Committee members discussed options: publish full text of measures on the city website for 30 days, use a city newsletter or comparable free digital channel to reach residents who do not use social media, and ensure archival retention consistent with state public-records law. One committee member noted that moving to a large regional paper could create significant fiscal cost if the local Herald were not used.
The committee also flagged charter language that refers to "every officer" taking an oath of office and asked legal to examine whether the provision should be narrowed (for example, to commissioned law-enforcement officers) or aligned to state law. Staff and members recommended relying on state statutes where appropriate and reserving charter specificity for provisions that must remain local.
The committee approved a motion requesting the city attorney prepare four separate language proposals to revise sections (including 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 and 4.10) for consideration at a future meeting. The proposals will return as discrete items for committee vote and possible placement in the final report and council ordinance.
