Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
INTRODUCTION OF CONSIDERATION FOR POTENTIAL CITY CHARTER; FORMATION OF A CHARTER COMMITTEE AND APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CHARTER COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING THE CONTENTS OF AND DRAFTING A POSSIBLE CITY CHARTER; PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF A CITY CHARTER (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The City Council has determined that it would like to explore the possibility of a city charter for adoption by the voters in the November 6, 2018 general election. A charter city allows for a greater degree of local control and charter amendments require a vote of the people. A charter is also subject to citizen initiative measures, which can also lead to special interest proposals to amend the charter. A City Charter would give the City the power to adopt legislation or regulatory authority or oversight in areas deemed to be purely municipal affairs. The process of developing a city charter will involve the establishing of a Charter Committee, drafting of a City Charter, and the holding of two public hearings on the proposed city charter.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following action:
1. RECEIVE and FILE this report.
2. FORM a Charter Committee made up of appointed Carson community members to identify topics to be included in the charter and to draft the proposed city charter.
3. INSTRUCT staff to notice the required public hearings pursuant to government code section 34458.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
1. ALLOW voters to elect members of a charter commission to identify charter contents and to draft the city charter.
2. TAKE such other action as the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The City of Carson has, since its incorporation, operated as a general law city as specified by state law. The voters of this community could, if they so chose, adopt a charter, sometimes considered a city constitution. A charter would have the legal effect of...
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