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RESOLUTION R-1819-66: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, ESTABLISHING A CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING A TARGETED REVIEW OF THE NORMAN CITY CHARTER AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
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BACKGROUND: During its October 30, 2018 Study Session, City Council discussed possible amendments to the Charter to have the City Attorney and the Internal Auditor positions report directly to City Council. During the discussion, a majority of Councilmembers expressed support for reconstituting the Charter Review Commission (“CRC”) to look at the proposal related to the City Attorney and City Auditor positions as well as other items. Council was asked to provide any additional items they would like the CRC to review to Staff for inclusion in a resolution providing for a targeted charter review by the CRC. Staff was asked to contact the members of the previous CRC and determine whether they would still be willing to serve.
DISCUSSION: During November and December, Staff received a number of requests from Councilmembers to include in the resolution appointing the CRC. In addition, Staff received a request from Norman Regional Hospital for changes to the Norman Regional Hospital Authority trust indenture which also implicates a change in the Charter language. The items identified in Resolution R-1819-66 for CRC review are:
• Consider adding language to the Charter related to the appointment and removal of a City Auditor that would be a full time employee of the City of Norman and appointed and subject to removal by the City Council.
• Review of Article VII, Section 2 to consider whether the City Attorney should be appointed and subject to removal by the City Council.
• Consider adding language to the Charter that would establish consequences should the provisions of Section 2-103 of the City’s Code be violated.
• Review of Article II, Section 1 to consider increasing the monthly stipend provided for the Mayor and Councilmembers.
• Consider adding language to Article II, Section 1 of the Charter adding reimbursement for cell phone expenses as additional compensation received by City Councilmembers.
• Review of Article II, Sections 2, 5, 6 and 14 to consider whether the term of office for Councilmembers should be changed from two to three years, and whether the term of office for Mayor be changed from three to four years.
• Review of Article II, Section 2 to consider whether the term of office for Councilmembers and Mayor should expire on the last Tuesday of the month in which a runoff election is held or scheduled to be held.
• Consider adding language to Article II, Section 10 of the Charter that would require a sitting Councilmember to resign their position at the time he or she files for another City, State or Federal elected office.
• Consider adding language to Article II, Section 10 of the Charter that would require a candidate for City Council to reside in the Ward in which he or she seeks election for a minimum of six months prior to filing for said office.
• Consider removing Article XVI, Section 2 of the Charter requiring a vote of the electorate prior to increasing City utility rates and adding language in its place to establish an independent elected utilities board to set utility rates.
• Consider adding language to the Charter to establish a Resident or Community Bill of Rights.
• Consider amending Article VI, Section 1 of the Charter to increase the number of members of the Board of Norman Regional Hospital Authority from nine to eleven members.
Resolution R-1819-66 also appoints nine members to the Charter Review Commission. Eight of these members are returning members from the previous CRC; Jim Griffith is the ninth member and is new to the CRC. As was the case with the last CRC, the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the City Manager, and/or their representatives, will staff the Commission. Quarterly public hearings will be held and updates will be provided to Council during a regularly scheduled study session on a quarterly basis once the CRC begins meeting. All meetings of the CRC will be open to the public.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of Resolution R-1819-66.