Title
Adopt a Resolution of Intent to Consider Amending the City Charter by Ordinance to Change the Form of Government
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a Resolution of Intent to Consider Amending the City Charter by Ordinance to Change the Form of Government by:
1. Increasing the terms of office of Mayor and City Councilmembers from two years to four years,
2. Staggering the election terms,
3. Adding an additional district member, and
B. Adopt the Resolution of Intent with the condition that any adoption of the ordinance amending the city character shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of the people, and
C. Set a public hearing on the above Resolution of Intent for March 13, 2023.
Body
Committee Chair:
Dimple Ajmera, Budget, Governance and Intergovernmental Relations
Staff Resource(s):
Patrick Baker, City Attorney's Office
Lina James, City Attorney's Office
Explanation
* NC General Statutes 160A-101 authorizes the City Council to change its form of government by adopting a resolution of intent to consider amending its city charter by ordinance; permissible modifications include altering the terms of office of the mayor and councilmembers, staggering terms of office, and adding an additional district member, so long as the number of council members does not exceed 12.
* NC General Statute 160A-102 specifies the procedures for amending the city charter by adopting an ordinance to implement changes allowed by law.
* By law, the resolution of intent must include the proposed ordinance amendments to the city charter and shall describe each briefly but completely and with reference to the pertinent provisions of N.C.G.S. 160A-101.
* For this action, Council must decide on the following statutory options:
* Term of office of the mayor; at least two years, but no more than four years (N.C.G.S. 160A-101(8))
* Term of office of councilmembers; from two to four years (N.C.G.S. 160A-101(4));
* Whether district and at-large members hold the same terms of office (N...
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