At the October 24 Council meeting Carolyn Jackson, the appointed Chair of the Charter Review Committee, presented the report of the Committee�s year-long work in reviewing the City�s Charter.  The Committee made a number of recommendations to update the Charter, make it more readable, and easier for the public to use.  Neither the staff report for that meeting nor Ms. Jackson�s extensive report will be repeated here, but can be reviewed in the City Clerk�s Office.

The Council determined that portions of the Committee�s recommendations should be set out for separate votes on the ballot.  Those matters specified by the Council were as follows:

1.  Whether the City Clerk should be appointed or remain an elective office.

2.  Whether the City Treasurer should be appointed or remain an elective office.

3. Whether the Council vote for approval or amendment of the budget should be by majority vote or should remain at 4/5 vote.

4. Whether the process for declaring and filling a vacancy in elected offices should be revised.

The attached ordinance would set these matters for a separate vote on the ballot, as well as placing the remaining Committee recommendations on the ballot.

It is recommended that the ordinance be adopted.

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