City of Portland - Measure 26-133
BALLOT TITLE
AMENDS CHARTER: ADDS TERMS AND VACANCY PROVISION FOR CHARTER COMMISSION
QUESTION: Shall terms of office and vacancy provisions for the Charter Commission be added to the Portland City Charter?
SUMMARY: Currently, Charter Section 13-301 directs the City Council to appoint a Charter Commission at least every ten years. The Charter does not specify the length of Charter Commission members’ terms, nor does the Charter identify how vacancies on the Charter Commission will be filled. This measure provides that the term of office for Charter Commission members shall be no less than two years; the Council will also have the power to reappoint members to additional terms or future Charter Commissions. The measure defines when a vacancy exists on the Charter Commission and how vacancies will be filled.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure amends the Portland City Charter. In 2007, City voters approved Charter amendments requiring the City to periodically review its Charter. The new Charter provisions direct the City Council to appoint a Charter Commission at least every 10 years. However, the Charter does not specify the length of Charter Commission members’ terms or identify how vacancies on the Charter Commission are to be filled.
The Charter Commission referred this measure to the voters. The Charter Commission recommends amending Charter Section 13-301 to specify that the Council shall appoint Charter Commission members to a term of office of at least two years and may appoint members to additional terms or later Charter commissions. The Housekeeping Committee further recommends amending Charter Section 13-301 to define when a vacancy exists on the Charter Commission and how a vacancy will be filled.
Submitted by
James H. Van Dyke
City Attorney
City of Portland