Residents urge slower, broader charter review as committee faces tight ballot timetable

Members of the public and local civic groups pressed the City of Compton Charter Review Committee on June 29 to slow the charter-review schedule and expand community engagement ahead of an August 7 deadline to place amendments on the November ballot. Ron D, who identified himself as chairman of the Concerned Citizens Charter Review Committee, told the panel that “a charter is more than a legal document. It’s the people’s constitution,” and warned that the current timetable leaves little room for deliberation, meaningful outreach, legal precision and implementation planning.

Other speakers echoed that caution. Isaac Asbury, a 60-year Compton resident who said he leads the National Association of Blacks and Criminal Justice for the Southwest region, submitted written recommendations and urged the committee not to “erase or manipulate the original intent of Measure CA,” which he said was intended to require a 10-year experienced municipal law firm for city attorney work.

Lyn Boone told the committee that many council members do not appear to understand that Compton is a charter city and said that raises questions about who can reliably enforce charter provisions. Missy Barber, speaking as a resident, urged broader outreach — neighborhood workshops, youth participation and language access — and suggested committee members routinely attend council meetings to better understand how the charter operates in practice.

Assistant City Manager Tamara Benz reminded the panel that members representing particular districts may attend community conversations to listen but should avoid engaging in ways that could create conflicts when later voting on related matters. Staff and members repeatedly said they would return to legal and HR experts at the committee’s July 6 meeting to clarify questions about legal constraints and job descriptions.

The committee’s chair acknowledged public concern and asked staff to increase outreach, saying the public information officer will issue a notice and committee staff will add emailed public input to future agendas beginning July 13. The chair said the committee will balance the ballot timeline with requests for deeper community participation and additional legal review.