Charter Commission Recommendation to Amend the City Charter
Type
Non-controversial or housekeeping amendments may be recommended by the Charter Commission and passed by the Council by a 13-0 vote. These amendments are typically recommended by City staff to clarify or update the Charter.
Process
- Staff: City staff drafts the amendment with the assistance of the City Attorney’s office. Council Members are usually consulted to ensure that the item is indeed non-controversial. Once the amendment is drafted, the total process through the Council and Charter Commission takes about 90 days.
- City Council: Action begins with introduction in Council and referral to the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Committee.
- Intergovernmental Relations Committee: IGR reviews the amendment and forwards to the Council for referral to the Charter Commission.
- Charter Commission: Charter commissioners review the amendment, may suggest changes to it, and recommend to the IGR Committee that the Council pass the amendment by a 13-0 vote.
- Intergovernmental Relations Committee: IGR holds a public hearing upon two weeks published notice containing the text of the proposed amendment. IGR can recommend a vote for or against the amendment to Council.
- Council: The council may not change the recommended language, but can vote the language up or down. Requires a 13-0 vote.
- Mayor: The Mayor signs the amendment.
Effective Date
The amendment becomes effective 90 days after passage and publication in Finance and Commerce, unless a different effective date is set forth in the charter amendment. During the first 60 days after publication, citizens may petition for a referendum on the amendment, as described on the next page.
Last updated Jun. 19, 2013