REPORT TO CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Staff Presentation of the Proposed “Final” Draft Charter Update and Committee Action on a Recommendation to the City Council for Presentation of Some or All of the Proposed Charter Updates to the Voters at the November 2026 General Election
Report
DISCUSSION
At the May 27th CRC meeting, the City Attorney’s Office presented to the full CRC Board the substantially completed work of Groups One, Three, Four and Five for CRC consideration and action (Attachment 1). The presentation included a list of key provisions updated along with actual Charter language for all assigned Sections. The presentation was supplemented by comments from Group subcommittee members. Public input was solicited, but none was provided. After a number of questions were asked and answered, the CRC took action to direct staff to (1) endeavor to resolve and/or provide options regarding (a) proposed updates to language setting forth the Chief of Police duties and obligations (Old Charter Section 906 and New Charter Section 202.3), (b) Planning Commission authority to designate a representative to appear at City Council hearings regarding Planning Commission recommendations or appealed decisions (Old Section 1007, New Section 604.1), and (c) a number of provisions relating to Civil Service Rules under discussion with concerned labor groups (Old Article XI, New Article Seven); and (2) otherwise approve the language presented in substantial form to be combined with the previously approved language from Groups Two and Six to be brought back on June 3rd for a final round of public review and action by the Committee for recommendation to the City Council.
This item implements the Committee’s May 27th direction. At the time of the posting of the June 3rd agenda, an annotated, underline/strikeout version of the proposed Charter Update, in substantially final form (Attachment 2) was uploaded to the City’s website. A “clean” version of the document (with all changes “accepted”) is also currently being prepared. Once this “clean” version has been generated, as far in advance of the June 3rd meeting as possible, it will also be distributed and uploaded onto the City’s website.
Staff will present the substantially final draft of the proposed Charter update, along with any proposed updates or options, at your June 3rd meeting for Committee consideration and action.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Hear staff’s presentation, consider any public input provided, and take such action as the Committee deems appropriate to recommend to the City Council the presentation of some or all of the proposed Charter updates to the voters at the November 2026 General Election
Staff
Reviewed by: Courtney Mohammadi, Legal Executive Assistant, City Attorney’s Office
Approved by: Glen Googins, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
1. Staff Power Point Presentation from May 27th
2. Proposed Charter Update (Underline/Strikeout Version)