Charter Review Recommendations - 1

Presentation TitleSubtitle (optional)

DateVancouver City Council Workshop/Public Hearing

Staff, TitleStaff, Title

Charter Review Recommendations

June 16, 2014City Council Workshop

Jeanette (Jan) Bader Program & Policy Development Manager

Bronson Potter, Chief Assistant City Attorney

Esther Schrader, Charter Review Committee

Charter Review Recommendations - 2

• Charter Review Process• Review of Charter Recommendations to

Council• Review of Other Issues• Next Steps

Presentation Overview

Charter Review Recommendations - 3

• Serves as the “constitution” for City government• Approved by voters in 1952• Amendments can be proposed by City Council or

through citizen petition• Last amended November 3, 2009• Charter is required to be reviewed every 5 years

City Charter

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• Charter requires committee of 15 residents• Committee’s role is to “review and recommend” to

Council any charter change or amendments (Section 11.17)

• Current members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council on December 9, 2013

Charter Review Committee

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• Committee held 7 meetings between January 23 & May 1

• Meetings taped by CVTV • Public invited to submit suggestions for review

and to comment on recommendations

Charter Review Committee

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Mid-Term Run for Mayor/CouncilA Councilmember running for Mayor or Council at mid-term would: • Give notice of intent 30 days prior to filing deadline• Be required to resign their seat at the end of the year

Charter Recommendations

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Updating Access to Ordinances Language• Requires ordinances be posted on the City’s website• Provides copies of ordinance as indicated in notice of

hearing (via mail or e-mail)• Removes the provision for a full reading of ordinance

upon request

Charter Recommendations

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Update Anti-Discrimination Language• Current language is from 1952• Current language is superseded by state law• New language would be consistent with state and

federal law

Charter Recommendations

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Boards & CommissionsAdd a section outlining:• Importance of Boards/Commissions• How they are established• How appointments are handled• How they can be dissolved

Charter Recommendations

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Initiative Petitions• Clarifying/defining timelines for steps in the process• Requiring City Attorney to provide an opinion as to

whether the proposed initiative is within the legally permissible scope

• Remove offering the option of gathering additional signatures once the petition has been certified to have insufficient signatures

These three issues may need to go as separate ballot measures.

Charter Recommendations

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• Full vs. part-time mayor• Strong mayor vs. city manager form of gov’t• Electing councilmembers by ward/district• Standing Charter Review Committee• Allowing Charter Review Committee to place

items directly on the ballot• Variety of administrative clean-up/changes

Other Issues Reviewed

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• Adding two, non-voting student positions to Council• Develop a brochure of FAQ’s on initiatives and referendums• Provide a legal opinion regarding two-year residency

requirement to run for Council clarifying when that period begins

• Policy prohibiting post City employment with firms doing business with the City

• Policies and procedures to offset the impact of economic discrimination

• Policy of placing future charter changes on the ballot during years when there are councilmember elections

Items for Further Consideration

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Possible Council Action• Place issue on ballot for binding vote• Place issue on ballot as advisory vote*• Decide not to put issue on the ballot

Advisory Vote*

If an advisory vote passes, Council can choose to:• Put the issue on next general election ballot • Take no action

Council Action

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Citizen ActionIf Council decides not to place an issue on the ballot, citizens have the option of an initiative petition.

Citizen Action

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• Charter for Clark County will be on the November 2014 ballot

• Committee recommends Council consider delaying vote on City Charter changes until November 2015 to avoid confusion

Timing Recommendation

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7/7/14 Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Changes

8/5/14 County Auditor’s Office notified of proposed ballot measure(s)

8/15/14 Voter’s Pamphlet material due to Auditor’s Office

11/4/14 General Election

Process & Timeline

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Jeanette (Jan) Bader

(360) 487-8606

jan.bader@cityofvancouver.us

Bronson Potter

(360) 487-8521

bronson.potter@cityofvancouver.us

Questions and Discussion

To request other formats, please contact:City Manager’s Office(360) 487-8600 | WA Relay: 711Amanda.Delapena@cityofvancouver.us