City of Gainesville - File #: 170717.

• File #: 170717.
• Version: 4
• Name: Charter Review Commission
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 1/5/2018
• In control: City Attorney
• On agenda: 7/19/2018
• Final action: 8/2/2018
• Title: City Charter Review Commission (B) Ordinance No. 170717 An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida; proposing an amendment to Section 5.01 titled "Charter amendments" of the Charter Laws of the City of Gainesville, to create a City Charter Review Commission with the power to review and propose amendments to the Charter Laws of the City of Gainesville every 10 years; providing for submission of this charter amendment to the voters for approval or disapproval at the March 19, 2019 City election; approving the title and question to be placed on the ballot; providing that this charter amendment shall become effective if approved by the voters; providing directions to the codifier; providing directions to the clerk of the commission; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/2/2018	4	City Commission	Adopted on Final Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
7/19/2018	4	City Commission	Adopted on First Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
6/7/2018	3	City Commission	Approved, as shown above	Pass
4/12/2018	2	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above	Pass
3/8/2018	1	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above	Pass
1/4/2018	1	City Commission	Referred	Pass

title

City Charter Review Commission (B)

Ordinance No.  170717

An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida; proposing an amendment to Section 5.01 titled "Charter amendments" of the Charter Laws of the City of Gainesville, to create a City Charter Review Commission with the power to review and propose amendments to the Charter Laws of the City of Gainesville every 10 years; providing for submission of this charter amendment to the voters for approval or disapproval at the March 19, 2019 City election; approving the title and question to be placed on the ballot; providing that this charter amendment shall become effective if approved by the voters; providing directions to the codifier; providing directions to the clerk of the commission; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

explanation

At the January 4, 2018 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission referred this issue to the General Policy Committee.  The General Policy Committee discussed this issue at its meetings on March 8, 2018 and April 12, 2018 and directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance based on the Charter Review Commission process set forth in the Alachua County Charter, with some modifications, such as staffing and analysis by the City Charter Officers and review and veto by the City Commission. 

At the June 7, 2018 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission discussed the draft and directed the City Attorney to move forward with the ordinance.

A timeline for the process set forth in the ordinance is as follows: 

* March 19, 2019 City Election: referendum on whether to amend charter to create a city charter review commission (CCRC)

* May 3-November 3, 2019: If Charter Amendment is approved by the City electorate, the City Commission appoints members of CCRC

* Within 30 days of appointment: CCRC holds first meeting

* By May 3, 2020: CCRC proposes charter amendment(s), if any, to the City Commission

* May-June 2020: City Commission reviews and vetoes proposed amendment(s) or adopts an ordinance forwarding amendment(s) to Supervisor of Elections

* By July 3, 2020: Clerk of Commission forwards adopted ordinance to the Supervisor of Elections

* November 3, 2020 General Election: proposed charter amendment(s) are voted on by the City electorate

Fiscal Note

As set forth in the draft ordinance, the City Commission will budget funds for the work of the CCRC.  The City Charter Officers will provide staff, as necessary for the work of the CCRC.

recommendation

The City Commission consider the ordinance.