Edgewater charter review board votes to require voter approval before sale of city parkland

The City of Edgewater Charter Review Board voted March 17 to forward a proposed charter amendment that would require majority voter approval before the city may sell, transfer or otherwise convey land designated as a public park, recreational open space or conservation area. The board read Section 1.01(i) aloud and approved sending the language to the City Council for consideration.

"I make a motion for section 1.01(i), sale of City Park property to require voter approval," said Mandy Bullard, a charter review board member, who moved the proposal. Linda Mosher seconded the motion. The board took a roll-call voice vote and recorded all members present in favor.

Board members said the change is intended to protect publicly owned parkland from being sold or long-term leased without direct approval from Edgewater voters. The proposed text would require a referendum held during a regular or special municipal election before any such conveyance could occur.

Board members who spoke in favor described the measure as a straightforward way to enshrine park protections in the charter. "Primary purpose ... is to limit City Council's authority to sell, trade, gift, or lease city owned public lands without the authorization of the citizens of Edgewater," the chair read while presenting the section.

The board did not adopt the amendment into the charter itself; it forwarded a formal set of recommendations and the proposed language to the City Council, which will consider whether to place the measure on a ballot. The board indicated it will continue refining language at its next scheduled meeting on March 31.

The chair called the motion a "good healthy back and forth" and said the board was fulfilling its advisory role by recommending language to the City Council.