Council approves first-reading package to send multiple charter questions to the ballot

The Edgewater City Council approved first reading of an ordinance packaging multiple proposed charter amendments for placement on a future ballot. The ordinance bundles several questions that the council chose to move forward for voter consideration, including changes to council size triggered by population, protections for parks, and a proposed ban on new data centers.

Councilmember Dalbo moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-0-18 (which included Questions 1, 2, 5, 7 and a recently added Question 11 on community engagement); Rain Bird seconded. The motion passed on roll call with the council recording unanimous 'yes' votes at the first reading. Staff said the language will be cleaned up for the second reading and the final ballot presentation.

The package includes several items the council elected to treat differently: a proposal to expand the council to six seats if the official population exceeds 37,000 (Question 2) moved forward as drafted; a proposed 80% native-plant landscaping requirement (Question 3) failed as a charter amendment and will instead be developed as an ordinance; and Question 5 (requiring voter approval to sell parks) was moved forward to the ballot. The council also agreed to add a community engagement item (labeled Question 11 in the ordinance) that would direct the city to adopt and maintain enhanced public-engagement practices.

Councilmembers and staff repeatedly emphasized that items destined for the charter will be refined on second reading and that ordinances could be used where the council sought more flexibility.