city charter review commission

Recommendations for Review Process2011-2012

Submitted by Richard StrathernGresham Citizen at Large

Gresham City Charter Review Commission

03/29/2023Gresham City Charter Committee 2011

Contents

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Key FactsCouncil DirectivesFour Types of Local Government OptionsResearch and Public PolicyThe Role of the Charter CommissionCitizen and Stakeholder EngagementNo Form is PerfectDiscussions on FormBackground MaterialHamiltonian Model / Strong ExecutiveRecommended Charter Review Process


Key Facts

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Current City Charter was adopted May 2, 1978

Charter may be amended, repealed, or replaced

60 % of citizens must pass a ballot measure to approve any changes

The current charter has been revised nine times

The City Council appoints the charter review committee


Council Directives

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Goals :Identified City Council concerns and city needs to

be addressed by the charter committee resulting in recommendations to City Council for it’s actionHold “open forum” for suggestions from Council members

both current and past.Insure that staff has authored a research summary

for committee members on alternative forms of city government outlining strength, weaknesses and opportunities of change

This information should be shared with general public soliciting their input and recommendations


Four Type of Local Government Options

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1. Mayor - Council (Strong Mayor)

2. Council - Manager (Weak Mayor)

3. Council - Manager ( Traditional)

4. Council - Manager (Hybrid)


Research and Public Policy

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Key Question:Will a specific form of government by itself

address community needs, issues, and concerns?

The Charter Committee should start with a discussion on “Form of Government.”

The expressed intent of this discussion is to seek consensus and address the needs, concerns and issues of City Council and the citizen community.


The Role of a Charter Commission

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(1) the need to identify and respond to the changing environment and

(2) the utility of using the “Form of Government” discussion as a starting point to address Council/Citizen needs

“Over time, communities change. Issues change. Needs change. As a consequence, our charter needs to be revised, depending upon the kind of issues that surface in your voting community. It is the committee’s job to gather the ideas and information from people in our community, and put a charter together and to present it to the citizen for a vote.”

• Kenneth Verburg – Michigan State University


Citizen and Stakeholder Engagement

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Objectives:Within current financial constraints, the committee

should seek the opinions and input from Gresham residents and community stakeholders.

Outreach activity should include a wide range of citizens, community organizations, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, religious, organized labor, past and current government leaders, including special public services announcements and appeals from current Mayor and former Mayors to encourage citizen and stakeholder input


No Form is Perfect

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Arguably, issues of abuse and personnel influences of private resources for private gain can and do occur in all forms of government.

The selection of a government structure in of itself does not enhance or reduce or create a barrier to prevent individual or machine based influenced, citizen abuse or inappropriate use of private resources to advance the interests of private people

Researcher Curtis Wood, University of Kansas (2010) indicates that the best protection against violation of public trust is a strong involved community.


Discussion on Form

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Research studies see a definite relationship between form of government and voter turnout in city elections and citizen engagement. Why is this?

It may be helpful to focus on two questions, as opposed to deciding upon a governmental type as a single exercise:What type of city do you envisionWhat type of defects or corrections are you

addressing, the Form of Government discussion inevitable flow from these critical questions.


Examples of Citizen Objectives

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Curb abuse of public funds and resourcesCreate a more effective city that responds

to the priorities of the citizenryPlan for a city to attract jobs and other

opportunities that current and potential citizens and stakeholders can take full advantage

Create opportunities for older as well as younger Gresham citizens


Background Material for Charter Committee

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International City/County Management Association (“ICMA”) Model City Charter and statistical survey of 3,864 cities, 2006. It compares Mayor - Council with Council Manager:Main Features% of cities using this form by populationMayoral PowersCouncil PowersArguments ForArgument AgainstExamples


Background Material Continued

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Current Mayoral Models in MunicipalitiesAppointment Powers Chart:

Form of GovernmentMayor - CouncilCouncil – ManagerCommissionTown Meeting

Population sizeGeographicMetro Status (Central, Suburban,

Independent)


Background Material Continued

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Beyond Stereotypes: Socio-economic Characteristics of Modern Council-Manager CitiesThis is a (5) part series of articles by Kevin

Carter, Management Fellow (January 31, 2011) ICMA ArticlePart (1) Structure, Brief HistoryPart (2) Previous Academic WorkPart (3) Overview of Theory, Socio-economic

Characteristics of Communities by Impact of demographics on Form of Government

Part (4) Questions of ResearchPart (5) Final Findings


A Hamiltonian Model of Municipal Power in Action

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Strong Argument for Mayor-Council:A Primer on GovernanceUnplanned City? Yes and No.Sources of Change in City GovernmentLooking Below the Radar – The Underside of

City GovernanceStorm Clouds: Reasons for Citizen Concern

About Local GovernanceScorecardPostscript: Three Suggestions for Improving

Governance


Strong Executive

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Dr. Richard Murray, University of Houston, is the author of “A Hamiltonian Model of Municipal Power in Action.” (See Blog)

He quotes Federalist Paper # 70:“Energy in the executive is a leading character in the

definition of good government… A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be in practice, a bad government…The ingredients which constitute energy in the executive are unity; duration; an adequate provision for its support; and competent powers” (Alexander Hamilton)


Recommended City Charter Review Process – 2011/2012

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Line by Line ReviewNames and Boundaries Powers

Form of Government

City Council

Powers/Duties of Officers

Elections

Vacancies in Office

Ordinances

Public Improvements

Misc Provisions

Ordinances Power, Initiatives, Referendum and Recall

Based on history in city archives review rational for pass changes to City Charter

Review current “best practices” in city governance

Perform a SWOT analysis of current Charter based on citizen, stakeholders and past and present City Councilors and Mayor(s)

Perform Decision Analysis and draft recommendations for presentation to City Council

Council approves final proposal for citizen approval

city charter review commission

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