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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
DATE: April 5, 2005
CONTACT: Ann Seltzer, Management Analyst
City of Ashland
552-2106 2 pages
Charter Review Committee
Public Forum
The Charter Review Committee is hosting a public forum on Thursday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Rogue River Room of Stevenson Union at SOU. Parking is available at the parking lot on the
corner of Mountain Avenue and Henry Street,
The committee has identified eight key issues within the existing charter that require evaluation
and deliberation. The committee is seeking public input on these issues prior to making any decisions.
The issues are:
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The Mayor-City Manager structure, the roles and the relationship and the mayoral veto
power and ability to vote on council issues.
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The election of the city recorder and municipal judge and the matter of compensation of
elected officials.
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The election of a Parks Commission and issues related to the organization of the Parks
Department.
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The election of city council members by positions, the number of council members and
council term limits.
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The provisions for annexations by the city.
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The issues of separate police and fire departments.
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The necessity of including the City Band in the charter.
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Should the appointment of Planning Commission members be proposed by city council
members in addition to the mayor?
City of Ashland Tel: 541-488-6002
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www.ashland.or.us
Charter Review Public Forum continued
The format of the public forum will include eight tables each dedicated to one of the issues plus
one table for general questions. A charter review committee member will be at each table to explain the
pros and cons of the issue and then ask for feedback, input and questions from the public. The attendees
can circulate to a different table every ten minutes in order to hear about the next issue and to give input.
The input will be recorded on flip charts and later synthesized into a document that the full committee
can review and discuss at a subsequent meeting.
A summary and follow-up to the public forum will be posted on the city's web site at
www.ashland.or.us (look on the left-hand column and click on Charter Review Committee). Attendees
that do not have access to the Internet are invited to provide their mailing address in order to receive
follow up information.
A review and update to the city charter has been a council goal for two years. The primary
purpose of the charter review committee is to review the existing city charter to determine if it will
adequately serve the community well into the future. If necessary, the committee is to prepare a draft
charter for the city of Ashland. The proposed charter will be reviewed by the city council for placement
on the ballot for the voters of Ashland.
The committee meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in council
chambers at 1175 East Main Street. Meetings are broadcast live on RVTV channel 9. Minutes,
agendas, and meeting packet documents are available on-line at www.ashland.or.us. For more
information, contact city staff liaison to the committee, Ann Seltzer at 552-2106 or ann@ashland.or.us.
For more information contact city employee Ann Seltzer, Management Analyst and staff liaison
to the committee at 552-2106 or by e-mail .
ann@ashland.or.us
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City of Ashland Tel: 541-488-6002
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www.ashland.or.us