07-10-25 - Charter Commission Agenda Packet

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Charter Commission April 10, 2025 Page 2 46 A memo from the City Attorney regarding the City's authority to govern the distances between 47 businesses was reviewed. The Charter Commission Chair brought forward a discussion on the 48 distances between business and residential properties. The Mayor reviewed that zoning districts 49 are for types of development, and commercial developers will review if the proposed 50 development will work before applying. 51 52 7.OPEN MIC 53 The Rules of Decorum regulations regarding the time allowed at open mic was discussed. 54 Councilmember Lyden stated that it is also helpful if the speaker provides a written summary of 55 their statement for the Council. 56 57 8. FIVE-YEAR PLAN 58 Chair Dahl reviewed the history of the City Charter requirement calling for a five-year Financial 59 Plan to be prepared. The Mayor reviewed the current financial management plan elements and 60 steps for approval. The Charter Commission Chair accepted the report into the record for the 61 Charter Commission. 62 63 9. THREE CITIZEN PETITIONS (SUBMITTED IN 2024) 64 The Charter Commission Chair accepted into the record the City Attorney's report stating that 65 the City Council found the 2024 petitions to amend the City Charter (two petitions) and 66 ordinance (one petition) to be legally invalid and that no further action was required. 67 68 10. EVEN YEAR ELECTIONS 69 The City Clerk reported that the City Council had discussed even -year elections and, as a change 70 from odd to even -year elections would require a Charter amendment, had deferred to the Charter 71 Commission on the matter. She provided an overview of the statistics for the 2023 and 2024 72 elections and budgeted expenses. 73 74 MOTION by Commissioner Obert, seconded by Commissioner Nicholson, to continue the 75 discussion of even -year elections. 76 77 Motion passed 10 ayes — 2 nays (Trehus and _ opposed). 78 79 The question of calling a special Charter Commission meeting to discuss the topic in advance of 80 the next regular meeting or scheduling the topic for the next Charter Commission meeting on 81 July 10, 2025, was discussed. 82 83 MOTION by Commissioner Obert, seconded by Commissioner Damiani, to schedule the 84 discussion of even -year elections for the next Regular Charter Commission meeting. 85 86 Motion passed 11 ayes — 1 nay (_ opposed). 87 88 It was noted that there would be no changes to the 2025 election and that any ballot questions 89 regarding moving to even -year elections would need to be scheduled after 2025, given the 90 timeframe for preparing and submitting a ballot question. The Chair asked that Commissioners 91 submit any questions in advance of the meeting by email to the City Clerk and copy her.