Agenda Date: 05/12/2026
Subject:
Title
2026 Potential ballot questions discussion
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Colleen L. Norton, City Clerk |
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Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager |
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Presentations: |
Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager |
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Colleen L. Norton, City Clerk |
PURPOSE:
To review specific findings of the Charter Review Committee’s (CRC) with consideration of potential future ballot questions.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The CRC, after comprehensive review of the City’s Charter, made recommendations to council of 39 sections that may be considered for amendment through council-initiated ballot questions to the electors of the City.
At the April 14, 2026 City Council study session, the CRC focused its presentation on the top 11 committee recommended sections:
1. Sec. 8. Amending the Charter
2. Sec. 23. Qualifications of Council
3. Sec. 27. Council Meetings; Open and Executive Sessions
4. Sec. 34. Procedures (related to Recall)
5. Sec. 36. Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions
6. Sec. 45. Initiative
7. Sec. 46. Submissions (related to Initiative and Referendum)
8. Sec. 47. Referendum
9. Sec. 65.5. Preservation of Neighborhood Land Use Restrictions
10. Sec. 70. Submission of the Budget
11. Sec. 89. General Obligation Bonds
Council directed staff to bring forward the following for further discussion and consideration:
• Sec. 8. Amending the Charter
• Sec. 24. Presiding Officer
• Sec. 27. Council Meetings; Open and Executive Sessions
• Sec. 36. Ordinances, Resolutions and Motions (this will be a conversation to add definitions of each to Sec. 7. Definitions)
• Sec. 70. Submission of the Budget (timing of submission may be tied to Sec. 22 regarding start of council terms)
• Sec. 89. General Obligation Bonds
The CRC submitted recommendations and reasoning for change without crafting specific ballot language; staff, at council’s direction, will be responsible for any proposed ballot language, ensuring it meets statutory requirements of single-subject and is written in plain language.
Staff’s presentation will summarize the identified Charter sections to facilitate Council’s considerations on each.
BACKGROUND:
Per the City’s Charter Sec. 124, the CRC was convened by Council in April of 2025 with direction to
perform a comprehensive review of all charter sections and make recommendations to council for amendments and deletions.
Prior Actions or Discussions
April 15, 2025: Council approved creation of the 2025/2026 CRC via resolution 39-2025.
April 14, 2026: CRC presented findings and recommendations to Council.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Should council forward any of the CRC’s recommendations or recommendations of their own to a ballot at a November election, there may be associated costs related to community outreach and education, as well as those costs associated with a coordinated election.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
• Council may consider placement of any of the committee’s recommendations, in addition to those noted above, on an upcoming ballot, either in current or future years, and direct staff to draft language as appropriate, for potential ballot questions.
• Council may consider placement of council-initiated questions for inclusion on an upcoming ballot and direct staff to draft language to facilitate this process.