City Council
MEETING DATE: 4/13/2016
TITLE:
Title
Draft City Charter
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
The Charter is presented for information, discussion and direction only. Staff recommends that the Council appoint a Council Subcommittee to review the draft questions for the previously authorized public opinion survey on the Charter.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2015 City Council adopted a resolution establishing priority goals for the upcoming fiscal year. The goals were developed at the Council's planning retreat held on January 24, 2015. Among the adopted goals was an item covering governance issues: "Hold a series of study sessions on governance issues and develop a plan to move toward a fall election on those requiring voter consideration." Among the topics listed under the goal were the following:
Adoption of a City Charter
Elimination of direct election of the Mayor
Elimination of the elected City Clerk position
Possible elimination of the elected City Treasurer
Expansion of allowed uses of Public Arts Funds
Annexation into the Desert Recreation District
On June 10, 2015 Council held a study session discussion on the possible referral of a City Charter to the voters. Included in the discussion were the first four topics listed above. The other two items, expansion of uses of the Public Arts Fund and Annexation into the Desert Recreation District were determined to be separate issues not relevant to a Charter and have been handled separately. At the June 10 meeting Council decided to appoint a subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Pettis and Councilmember Kaplan, to develop a draft Charter for further Council consideration.
The Council subcommittee met on two occasions to review charters from other Cities and discuss policy questions related to a charter. A draft charter was developed as a result and was reviewed by Council during study session on December 9, 2015 and again...
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