* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Stokes
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Citizen Charter Amendments Review Commission 2020
For the purpose of establishing a Commission of citizens to review the Charter amendments that are presently before the City Council.
body
Recitals
The Equity and Structure Committee of the City Council has been assigned 13 Charter amendments for consideration. Many of these proposed amendments contain elements that may conflict with other amendments or could drastically change how the City functions. The amendments may impact everything from routine City operations to the City’s bond rating and financial solvency.
Since these amendments have the potential to dramatically alter the City government’s operations and structure, a Commission composed of citizens should be established to review the amendments. Specifically, the Commission should include 15 citizen members, composed of 1 citizen from each Council District and 1 citizen as a Citywide representative. Each member should be nominated by the City Council President and approved by the Mayor. The Commission should include a representative from each of the following agencies - the Department of Planning, the Law Department, the Department of Finance, the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, and the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. The Commission should also include the Dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the Dean of the University of Baltimore School of Law. The Commission should analyze how the 13 charter amendments interact and should provide the necessary commentary needed for a robust public discussion of the merits of the amendments. By June 1, the Commission should issue a report to the Mayor and City Council for consideration by the general public and the City Council.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the City Council establishes a Commission of citizens to review the Charter amendments that are presently before the City Council.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of the Department of Planning, the City Solicitor, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, the Dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, the Dean of the University of Baltimore School of Law, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.