City Council Meeting Date: July 9, 2026
To: Charter Commissioners
From: CC Linstroth, Charter Commission Chair
Title
Consider Charter Commission Policies - Public Comment at Charter Commission Meetings Update.
Body
Action Requested:
The Charter Commission is asked to approve a motion to approve the proposed update to Section 8 Citizen Comment at Charter Commission Meetings.
Summary Report:
The Charter Commission is asked to approve the proposed updates to Charter Commission Policy Section 8 Citizen Comment at Charter Commission Meetings.
At the May 14, 2026 meeting, the Charter Commission approved an addition to this section that outlines the Commission’s process when receiving public comment. As part of the discussion, a member of the Commission expressed concerns with the term “citizen” being used. The term was removed from the newly added wording to the policy but after further review, there are multiple other references to the word “citizen” in the existing section of the policy.
To align with the changes, the Charter Commission is asked to approve the attached updated wording. In addition to changing the word “citizen”, the requirement for individuals speaking in front of the Charter Commission to provide their address, has been removed. This aligns with the City Council and other boards and commissions that removed this requirement at the suggestion of the Mayor’s Youth Council.
A redline draft (attachment #1) and clean draft (attachment #2) of the proposed process, incorporated into the Charter Commission under Citizen Comment at Charter Commission Meetings are attached.
Once approved, staff will update the Charter Commission Policy on the Charter Commission webpage.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines: