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Work Session: Charter Review
Meeting Date: June 21, 2000 Agenda Item Number: B
Department: City Managers Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston
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www.ci.eugene.or.us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
This is an opportunity for the City Council to discuss issues related to review of the Eugene City Charter.
BACKGROUND
Council Action History
The 1999-2000 council goals include an action priority to authorize/appoint charter review
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commission. In September 1999, the City Council approved a motion to place a charter amendment on
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the May 2000 ballot calling for compensation for the mayor and city council and to appoint a committee to
draft a viable and equitable charter amendment for review and referral by the council. The committee did
complete its work and the council did place the measure on the May 2000 ballot. The charter amendment
to compensation the mayor and councilor was approved by the voters of Eugene.
The City Council has discussed several other issues related to charter review during the past year. During
those discussions, several councilors expressed an interest in a larger review of the charter, not just
compensation, city-wide vote for all councilors, ward reconfiguration, contracts and several other items.
At the request of several councilors, this work session has been scheduled to discern what topics related to
charter review, if any, exist among members of the council and what type of process should be developed
to undertake a review of the Charter.
On June 8, 2000, a memorandum was distributed to the mayor and councilors requesting information on
what type of charter reviewed he or she envisioned. Two options were presented. First, a full review of
the entire charter and second, a list of specific issues to be reviewed. The complete results of this survey
were unavailable at publication time; however they will be available at the work session.
Policy Issues
The policy question to be considered is whether the council should undertake an entire review of the
Charter or review it in sections and what process should be utilized to complete the process.
Other Background Information
The Eugene Charter was last revised in 1976. There have been four amendments to the Charter approved
since 1976. The work which preceded the 1976 Charter was initiated in September 1973 by then City
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Manager Hugh McKinley. At the time the council considered revising the Charter adopted in 1905 or
developing an entirely new Charter. The council opted for the new charter and directed the City Manager
to begin the project. The project team was led by the City Attorneys Office; a citizen committee was
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also appointed. Together, the two groups developed a new charter which was distributed to all Eugene
households in September of 1976. The voters approved the new charter in November of 1976.
Timing
The item in and of itself is not time sensitive. However, a revision of the charter, be it the entire Charter
or sections, must be placed before the voters of the City of Eugene. If the Council moves forward with
the review, at some point there will be need to be cognizant of the elections calendar.
OPTIONS
There two major pathways at this point; 1) a full scale entire review of the Charter, or 2) a review of
specific sections of the Charter. The time line for completion and the process will differ depending upon
the course selected by the council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff has no recommendation on this item.
SUGGESTED MOTION
None suggested at this time. This is a work session and discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
A.Memorandum dated June 8, 2000 regarding Charter Review and responses
B.Eugene City Charter (1976)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Mary Walston
Telephone: 682-5406
Staff E-Mail: mary.f.walston
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