19 - Charter Review Commission Report 2021

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The City contracted with Mr. Don Edmonds as a qualified consultant to guide the CRC and City through the review process. Mr. Edmonds performed an excellent job in this task. He was very thorough, timely and thoughtful as we worked through many various topics. He kept our efforts focused and on task, providing a systematic process for reviewing the Charter in a timely manner. He produced a tremendous amount of material in a short period of time. We would also like to recognize and thank Tim DeGhelder, Library Director, and the Library Staff for their hosting of the CRC meetings. The venue they prepared was very conducive to the needs of the CRC. All CRC meetings were open to the public. The Paris News attended at least two of these meetings. STATUS OF ISSUE: After six (6) meetings, the CRC has completed their tasks as assigned in Ord. 2021-024 and has produced the attached Final Report for the City Council to review. It is the City Council's duty to now review their recommendations and decide which of these recommendations will in fact go forward for inclusion in the May 2022 general election ballot. Only the electorate of the City of Paris can amend the Charter, but the City Council determines which amendments will be considered. The City Council can either accept all or none of their recommendations, they can change their recommendations, and/or they can add additional amendments to the ballot. Due to statutory requirements for placing items on the May 2022 ballot, the City Council will need to make a decision no later than the January 24, 2022 city council meeting. It is higil� recommended thop&li that a decision take place b JpppgEy 1%1 2wwtogive us enougji time to )ray are the ballot laggL 4 with legal counsel. The proposed ballot language must be written in final form, translated into Spanish, and mailed to all registered voters, so time is needed for this effort as well. Chairperson Alix Putnam will be providing the City Council with a brief presentation on behalf of the CRC. Grayson Path will follow Ms. Putnam's presentation and discuss some of the contents of this memo to assist with City Council discussion. Don Edmonds, Stephanie Harris and Janice Ellis are present tonight to answer questions. Please see the Final Report for extended details, but the following is pulling from the explanatory notes in the Final Report with some added notes from the City Manager as needed. To emphasize what is stated on p.3 of the Final Report, language in u, 11 IV.:`A is to be deleted, language in is to be added, and language in BLACK is original that does not change. 1. Article I a. No recommended edits.