11.09.22 CHARTER WHOLE Presentation — File 22-1520

Charter Review Process and Recommendations Somerville MA City Council November 9, 2022

Tonight’s Agenda Review Recent History Gather Preliminary Feedback Deliberation Process Preview 5 Broad Policy Topics Implementation Process Review

Committee Timeline October 2020 - Former Mayor Joe Curtatone and City Council President Matt McLaughlin create an advisory charter review committee Phase 1, March 2021 - June 2021 Decision making rule, values, ground rules Phase 2, July 2021 - October 2021 Education, issues of interest, interviews Phase 3 & 4, November 2021 - August 2022 Deliberations, drafting, final report We seek to revise the Somerville Charter to make our government more just, empowering, responsive and innovative for its residents.

Community Engagement ● Kick-off Event at Foss Park on August 28, 2021 - 80 attendees ● Tabling at farmer’s markets and winter markets around Somerville ● City-wide educational brochure - ● Final report postcard - ● Four community meetings - 55 attendees ● 85 public comments at committee meetings and via email ● A public hearing - 20+ attendees ● Monthly newsletter - over 560 subscribers ● Outreach to 150 community organizations ● 950+ residents took a community survey

5 Broad Topics for Change Consideration Elections Budget / Finance Elections Balance of Power Administration

Elections Enfranchising non-citizen and 16 and 17 year old residents in municipal elections Ranked Choice Voting Implementation Committee Reduced signature requirements for at-large and ward-elected offices Public Financing of Campaigns Study Committee

Balance of Power Chief Administrative Officer City Council Access to information provision City Council authority to hire staff and independent advisory legal counsel Mayoral 4-year term Appointment process for department heads, boards and commissions Maintain a Mayor-Council form of government Maintain the current composition of the city council, 7 ward and 4 at-large councilors Maintain 2 year terms for city council

Budget / Finance Budget Mechanics: • Public hearing on or before February 15th • Framework for allowing city council to submit their budget priorities to the mayor prior to budget drafting • City Council can only delete or decrease budget items • Public hearing prior to city council cuts • Budget posting to city website Change budget drafting timeline: • Annual Budget Meeting prior to April 1 • Mayor submit budget to City Council “on or about” 30 days before the end of the fiscal year • School Committee submit budget to mayor “on or about” 15 days prior to the day the mayor submits to CC • Requiring city council to take action on the budget prior to beginning of new fiscal year

Budget / Finance Formalize Capital Improvement Plan City council appointment of independent auditor and mandate the appointment Equitable Compensation Distribution Study Committee Periodic review of compensation of all city employees Participatory Budgeting Study Committee

Administration Remove all city organization from the charter Organize the city via Administrative Code Change the start of term of office to the first business day in January Periodic Review of Charter, Ordinance and Multiple Member Bodies (individually) every 10 years Posting requirements to include City Website

Misc. Add a group petition provision, city council hold a public hearing on petition signed by 100 municipal voters Change vacancy process for Mayor Newly drafted charter Maintain school committee vacancy process if occurs 1 year or greater, remove appointment for < 1 year remaining Maintain current vacancy process for city councilors Maintain 2 year terms and composition of school committee

Additional Items to Consider Councilor Suggestions Previous Charter amendment efforts ● 1978, 1986, 1994, 2005, etc Public Feedback - 2 Public Hearings Public repository for shared documents ● tinyurl.com/HashtagCharterReform Legislative Policy Analyst Notes

Implementation Process 1. City Council discussion and edits 2. Mayor & Solicitors Office provides edits and recommendations a. Allow State Legislature to make edits to the charter or approve/reject charter as a whole 3. City Council approves HRP, Mayor Signs and sends to State Legislature 4. State Legislature - approves or rejects Special Act 5. Governor Signature 6. If Approved, State Legislature may require municipal vote to adopt

Deliberation Process City Council Kickoff: 11/9/22 Next meeting: 11/21/22 ● begin topic area review, set topic schedule Public Hearing 1: 12/7/22 Early Feedback Online meeting Deliberation: 1/11, 1/25, 2/8 In Chambers By broad topic Updated Draft Review: 2/22 Location TBD Members of the Charter Committee have requested to assist with drafting updates to follow policy decisions made by the City Council. Public Hearing 2: 3/8 Followed by deliberation and opening to motions