City Charter Review Committee
The Charter Review Committee was formed on March 17, 2008 through a City Council resolution. The purpose of the committee is to review ambiguities and inconsistencies within the charter since the formation of the strong-mayor form of government. The changes to the charter recommended by this committee will be discussed through public hearings and must be voted on by the citizens of Spokane for approval.
What is a City Charter?
It is the basic law that defines the organization, powers, functions and essential procedures of the municipal or county government. It is comparable to the state constitution and to the constitution of the United States.
Why was it formed?
After nearly forty years of council-manager government, the citizens in Spokane voted to change the City’s government structure to a mayor-council form in 1999. In more than seven years since the change, several provisions in the City Charter need to be amended to provide greater clarification for citizens, City staff, and elected and appointed officials under mayor-council rule.
What is the Committee’s mission?
The mission is to “facilitate a community review and update of the Spokane City Charter to harmonize sections of the Charter for the purposes of achieving greater clarity and direction in the functions of city government”.
Who is on the Committee?
The Committee is comprised of eleven members: three staff members are selected by the Mayor’s Office; three Councilmembers are appointed by the Council; and five at-large citizens are selected with one nominated by the Community Assembly, two nominated by the Mayor’s Office, and two nominated by the City Council.
Committee Members are:
| City Council | Mayor’s Office | Community Assembly | At-Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Councilmembers: District 1: Al French (Chair), District 2: Michael Allen, District 3: Steve Corker | Ted Danek (City Administrator), Dorothy Webster (Administrative Services Director), Leroy Eadie (Director of Planning Services) | Hal Ellis | Mayor’s Appointments: Dr. Joseph Albert, Mike Dalessi Council Appointments: Sherrie Bryant, Greg Sweeney |
What is the process?
The large Committee comprised of eleven members, will break into three smaller sub committees. The sub-committees will address specific areas of the Charter. The three areas are: Administrative; Boards and Commissions; and Legislative. The sub-committees will generate a list of items for the full Committee to review and discuss. From the suggestions and deliberations, the full Committee will decide on items that should be put to vote on a ballot for citizens.
Which Charter Sections will each sub-committee address?
Charter areas falling into the categories are:
| Sub Committee: | Administrative | Boards and Commissions | Legislative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Members: | Danek; Ellis; Allen; Albert | Eadie; French; Dalessi | Webster; Corker; Bryant; Sweeney |
| Charter Articles: | I, IV, X, XI, XII, XIII | V, VI, VIII, XV | II, III, VII, IX, XIV |
How can I be involved?
You can be involved in several ways: contact the City Charter Review Committee through the Council Office: 625-6255. Send a letter to the Council or Mayor: 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201. Attend any of the City Charter Review Committee meetings – they’re all open to the public – and meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 11:00am to 12:00pm in City Hall Conference Room 5A.