Adopt Charter Recommended Ordinance #25-02 to Amend Chapter 3 of the Charter

Purpose: The purpose of this case is to vote on the Adoption of Ordinance #25-02, which is the recommendation from the Charter Commission to amend Chapter 3 of the Charter. 

Background: The proposed amendments to the City Charter are mainly some housekeeping items, efficiency items that mirror general practices by the City Council. Council received the recommendation to amend the Charter at the January 28, 2025 work session. The proposed ordinance with the recommendation from the Charter Commission, and a full version of the charter with redlined edits are attached to this case for reference. Below is a brief rationale behind each proposed change.

The proposal is to eliminate the requirement that the ordinance be read aloud before adoption. The City Council has historically utilized the charter provision to waive that requirement. With technology allowing full agenda packets to be posted to the internet typically six days before the meeting, there is ample opportunity for residents to review the ordinance ahead of time. Furthermore, from the first posting of an agenda with the introduction of an ordinance to final consideration, an ordinance is posted to the internet for approximately three weeks. Lastly, ordinances currently require a 30-day publication period before they become effective. This requirement is also fairly unique, and state statute simply requires publication prior to it becoming effective. The Charter Commission recommendation is to eliminate the 30-day waiting period. An added benefit to the near immediate effective date is that staff can provide direction to residents on the changes without having to delay the enforcement of the changes.

With an amendment proposed by the Charter Commission, the City Council may amend the charter by ordinance.  Within one month of receiving a recommendation to amend, the City must publish notice of a public hearing of the proposal.  Within one month of the public hearing, the City Council must vote on the proposed charter amendment.  If approved unanimously, the ordinance goes into effect 90 days after passage subject to no petition being submitted by voters forcing a referendum.

January 28, 2025 - Recommendation received by Council
February 7, 2025 - Public Hearing Publication 
February 11, 2025 - Introduction of the Ordinance
February 25, 2025 - Public Hearing
March 11, 2025 - Final vote 
 

N/A

Following discussion at a work session where council supported changes identified, staff's recommendation is to Adopt Ordinance #25-02: Amending Chapter 3 of the Charter. 

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement that the Ordinance be read aloud and Adopt Ordinance #25-02: Amending Chapter 3 of the Charter. 

Roll Call Vote