Agenda Date: 05/22/2018
Subject:
Title
Possible Charter amendments for council to consider
Body
Presented By:
Steve Kemp, City Attorney
BACKGROUND:
The Littleton Charter was adopted by voters at a special election on July 28, 1959. Constitutions and charters are frequently amended to reflect changing circumstances. For example, from 1876 to 2017, the Colorado Constitution has been amended 159 times. Most of these amendments can be described as "housekeeping" in nature such as changing language or provisions to bring it up to date, or addressing a matter not contemplated at the time of adoption. Colorado is not unique in this regard.
Arizona - Constitution adopted in 1912 - Amended 154 times
California - Second Constitution adopted in 1879 - Amended 511 times
Nebraska - Second Constitution adopted in 1874 - Amended 234 times
The same situation exists with city home rule charters. Frequently, they are reviewed to incorporate minor changes to make the governing document of the city more current. The Littleton charter was amended in 1969, 1975, 1987, 1991, 1997, 2004, 2013 and 2015. However, the only significant review of the charter was done by a citizen's committee in 2015. That committee recommended ten amendments for consideration by the voters of the city. The outcome of those amendments is attached. The 2015 committee had an additional twenty recommendations not voted on, three of which are included below. Additionally, citizens initiated some charter amendments in 2015, related to urban renewal.
The mayor requested a review of the City Charter for further areas that warrant being addressed to bring the charter in line with effective government practices.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
After a review of the charter, the five areas recommended for council to consider amending are:
1. Section 23 - Qualifications of Council Members and Section 29 - Council Membership Rules
2. Section 27 - Council Meetings
3. Sections 54-57 - Legal Department - City Attorney ...
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