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Charter Revision Commission falls below quorum; chair urges mayoral appointments
Summary
The Charter Revision Commission has fallen below the quorum needed to meet, the chair told council, and said the mayor was advised of appointment obligations under state law but declined to make further appointments, imperiling the commission's scheduled line-by-line charter review.
Bridal Jackson, working group chair for the city's Charter Revision Commission, told the Common Council the commission failed to meet a required quorum on July 28 because members resigned and the mayor has not filled vacancies.
Jackson said the commission compiled 87 directives for review with 27 already passed and that, "We were created by the mayoral appointment under New York State Home Rule Law section 36a," which imposes appointment responsibilities. She said the city attorney advised the mayor he was required to fill vacancies, but the mayor replied he was ‘‘weighing his options’’ and would not appoint additional members. Jackson urged council and the public to review the commission's member list and asked for clarity on how to proceed; the mayor and council discussed whether to explore simplifying the charter-revision process and potentially changing appointment practices.
Council members noted the commission's leadership had resigned and expressed concern about the commission's ability to complete its work; the mayor said the attorney's office will work on proposals to clarify the process and that the council could consider other routes for charter changes.
