Council weighs stipend language and charter review timing; warns public hearings

Councilors discussed governance‑committee recommendations to change how councilor stipends are set and to require a periodic comprehensive charter review.

Staff explained the options and the drafting challenge: because the charter currently references an older stipend baseline, wording a direct charter change could be confusing to voters. Regina (staff) recommended an advisory framing for clarity on the stipend increase. Councilor Brian argued against increasing stipends amid rising costs for residents and said he would prefer not to place these changes on the ballot. Councilors Marcus, Amber and others supported offering the question to voters with advisory language to reduce confusion.

Council moved to warn the first and second public hearings for the proposed stipend‑related charter questions (articles 2, 3 and 4) on Feb. 25 and March 11 at 6:30 p.m.; that motion passed by roll call. The council also separately warned public hearings for a proposed charter‑review committee on the same dates; that motion passed unanimously. Staff noted that some items (such as whether the change becomes policy or charter language) would determine the subsequent state approval process and timeline.

The council recorded differing preferences: some sought advisory language to avoid confusion and preserve flexibility, while others emphasized taking the governance committee's recommendations to voters. No final charter amendments were adopted at the meeting; the council only set the public‑hearing schedule and ballot placement for consideration.