Amendments to City Charter Approved, Rejected

Ron George, chairman of the Charter Review Committee, introduced six proposed charter amendments during the April 15th CITCOM meeting. One was shot out of the water immediately; one was rejected after discussion; three were approved unanimously; and one was approved on a split vote. Proposed amendments must be approved by the voters at the November election. The details:

• Proposal 6 was not even considered. It would have eliminated the requirement that a serving city commissioner resign from the commission as a condition to run for mayor.
• Proposal 1 was voted down 3-4, with DuBuc, Poulton, Fournier, and Rasor voting No. It would have required at least 1,000 signatures to initiate a referendum on an an ordinance. Currently, the charter calls for "at least 10% of all of the electors voting at the last preceding general municipal election."
• Proposal 2 was unanimously approved. It will reduce from 25 to 21 the qualification age for elective office.
• Proposal 3 was unanimously approved. In keeping with state law, it removes the requirement to be a "freeholder" [property owner]  to run for elected office.
• Proposal 4 was unanimously approved. It provides for the direct appointment of the city assessor and the city treasurer by the city manager.
• Proposal 5 was approved by a split vote, 6-1, with Poulton voting no. It calls for a special election if the city commission does not appoint a replacement within 60 days of a commission seat, other than mayor, becoming vacant.

A typical mix of Traffic Committee recommendations took up some time, but the impact affects only those neighborhoods -- or intersections mentioned.

Michael Sophiea who owns Oak City Grill and Local 212 and formerly owned and operated Rumors, was appointed to the Downtown Development Authority, replacing the departing Luigi Cutraro, owner of the former Sangria's.

Public Comment was a great example of the "of cabbages and kings" range of the interests of residents. Of 23 speakers, 8 were about the Human Rights Ordinance (7 pro, 1 con); the rest dealt with such matters as youth safety, traffic problems, adopt-a-park, Memorial Day Parade, permit parking, 11 Mile improvements, sidewalk cafes.