Review Draft Ordinance Proposing an Amendment to the City's Charter

Purpose: To review and discuss an amendment to Chapter 7 of the City's Charter, as proposed by the City Council.

Background: The City Council and Charter Commission have been exchanging proposals for an amendment to the City Charter that addresses franchise fees.  Such fees were proposed by the Council as a means to fund long-term road maintenance policy.  On January 27, 2014, the Charter Commission considered the Council's proposed amendment language and then requested feedback from the Council on three options: (1) submit to the voters the Commission's original amendment prohibiting franchise fees that are used to raise general revenue; (2) use the Council's proposed language, but add that the general revenue prohibition goes into effect at the end of the initial five year term; or (3) use the Council's proposed language, but add that the general revenue prohibition goes into effect at some point less than five years.

The City Council discussed the Commission's options at length at its February 11, 2014, work session.  The Council consensus was to address the Commission's concerns about the use of franchise fees by requiring a Council super majority to both enact and renew or extend a franchise fee ordinance.  Approval would require affirmative votes from five of seven Council members.

Staff is recommending review of the proposed Charter language.

Based on discussion.