Charter Commission Annual Meeting May 1, 2025
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Appointment of recording secretary
Appointment of legal counsel
Election of commission chair
Election of commission vice chair
Approval of past meeting minutes
Charter amendment proposals for Chapters 5 and 6
Discussion of petition form language and clarity
Presentation of annual commission report
Areas of Interest (4)
- Charter Commission moves to standardize and simplify petition forms for initiative, referendum, and recall processes.
- Commission members debate the necessity and clarity of 'detrimental language' in referendum petitions.
- Proposed charter amendments face a high bar: requiring a unanimous vote from all seven City Council members.
- City officials planning for a June 2025 public hearing and potential follow-up meetings to finalize charter changes.
Votes (8)
Appoint recording secretary
Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Unspecified
Appoint Melissa as Attorney
Moved by Lindell · Seconded by Unspecified
Reappoint Peterson as Chair
Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Unspecified
Reappoint Emily Melby as Vice Chair
Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Unspecified
Adopt Resolution for Chapter 5 amendments
Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Ron Barnes
Adopt Resolution for Chapter 6 amendments
Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Unspecified
Adopt Annual Report
Moved by Unspecified · Seconded by Mark and J
Adjourn meeting
Moved by Brona · Seconded by Michael
Notable Quotes (3)
I personally have been very happy with the work that she's been doing but if you know I want to make sure that people understand we do have we do have a choice
we strive for a 12th grade level so in looking in looking at the subsequent sections of the referendum section
It feels like words i don't I think it does because um a lot of times when you're circulating petitions like people go to the farmers market and circulate a petition
People (4)
PetersonChairPresiding over the 2025 organizational meeting.
1 quote
Presiding over the 2025 organizational meeting.
“I personally have been very happy with the work that she's been doing but if you know I want to make sure that people understand we do have we do have a choice and who we so with that I will open the floor to nominations for attorney”
Discussion regarding retention of legal counsel.
MelissaAttorneyProviding legal guidance on charter amendment processes.
1 quote
Providing legal guidance on charter amendment processes.
“we strive for a 12th grade level so in looking in looking at the subsequent sections of the referendum section”
Explaining the readability standards for ballot questions.
Emily MelbyVice ChairReappointed to her position during the meeting.
Reappointed to her position during the meeting.
Ron BarnesCommissionerProposed language refinements to referendum petitions.
1 quote
Proposed language refinements to referendum petitions.
“It feels like words i don't I think it does because um a lot of times when you're circulating petitions like people go to the farmers market”
Debating the value of specifying 'registered voters' on petitions.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (6)
- 2025 Charter Commission organizational meeting
- May 2, 2024 (Previous meeting minutes)
- July 10, 2024 (Previous meeting minutes)
- January 9, 2025 (Previous meeting minutes)
- April 10, 2025 (Previous meeting minutes discussed)
- June 2, 2025 (Proposed public hearing date)
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Clerical and clarity updates to petition forms, including adding email and phone fields and refining language.
Updating professional title from current designation to 'Deputy' to match industry standards.