Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Committee topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montrose council declines motion to form citizens charter commission after lengthy public comment
Summary
Councilors heard more than an hour of public comment for and against creating a citizens' charter review commission; after debate on process and timing the motion to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution failed. Supporters said a commission would boost transparency; opponents said council should not rush.
A motion to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution creating a citizens' charter review commission failed after extended public comment and council debate on July 7.
City Attorney Christowsky told the council there are two legal routes: a model under the Colorado Revised Statutes that would put the question and commissioner elections before voters, or a council-created commission formed by resolution and appointed by council. He warned the statutory, election-based model would likely not be feasible for a November ballot because of timing constraints.
“Please authorize the creation of a citizen's charter review commission to be made up of residents from all across our community,” Councilor Jay David Reid said during his remarks urging the council to approve the motion. “If the proposed amendments are sound, they will withstand public review.”
Residents speaking during public comment largely urged a commission. “This vote is about more than a commission. It’s about trust,” said Beth McCorkle, who asked councilors to vote yes and said a commission would help build public confidence in any ballot language.
Council discussion focused on process, representation and whether the city should slow the effort to allow more public education. One council member argued that the council itself — with staff support and public input — could prepare ballot language, while others favored an independent citizen body to study proposals and hold hearings.
Council member (speaker 4) moved to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution to form a charter commission; the motion was seconded and then failed on a council vote. The motion text, as moved, directed the city attorney to begin drafting a resolution to form a charter commission; the council recorded the outcome as failed.
The council did not adopt any other direction on the charter at this meeting. Several speakers said they expected the subject to return to council work sessions or future agendas for additional study.
What happens next: the council may revisit the subject at a later work session or place charter amendments before voters through ordinary council action or a citizen initiative, both of which several speakers referenced during the meeting.
