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Committee recommends forming mixed charter review committee, urges broad public engagement
Summary
Staff proposed a charter review process and a mixed committee; the Public Administration Committee recommended a seven-member committee (three councilors, four community members), supported town halls and surveys for public input, and asked staff to take the proposal to the full council with timing options for a ballot measure.
The committee discussed a proposed charter review and agreed to recommend formation of a mixed committee to the full council.
City staff outlined a framework for charter review that would include elected officials and community members, multiple community meetings and outreach, and suggested topics such as mayoral term length, vacancy and remote-participation rules, and youth engagement. "This is the city's charter—the public, everyone that lives here. It's their document," Brian said, urging broad public involvement.
Committee members favored a seven-member committee with three councilors and four community members to avoid creating a quorum of the council on the review panel. Members discussed timing for potential ballot placement and suggested allowing at least nine months of lead time if the city targets a May election next year.
"I would go with either five or seven," one committee member said; staff recommended seven to balance participation without creating a quorum. The committee supported using surveys and town-hall meetings for public engagement but cautioned against expensive, scientific polling. Staff will take the concept to the full council and return with a proposed committee structure and schedule for public outreach and potential ballot placement.
