01.08.26 CC Council Charter Responsibilities — File 26-0047

City of Somerville January 8, 2026 1 2025 Revised Charter

Overview of Relevant Changes The 2025 Revised Charter: • Clarifies separation of powers. • Clarifies and codifies procedures for access to information. • Establishes timelines for City Council action on: • confirmation of appointments; • amendments to the Administrative Code; and, • group petitions. • Requires the City Council to hold two public hearings on the annual budget. 1/8/2026 2 2025 Revised Charter

Separation of Powers • Section 1-3 contains general language similar to previous charter, dividing the executive and legislative roles of the mayor and City Council. • Section 2-2(b) specifically prohibits “interference with [the] Administration”. • Clarifies that the City Council does not have the authority, as the legislative body, to issue binding directives or orders. • Items that have historically been submitted as orders may be submitted as resolutions instead. 1/8/2026 3 2025 Revised Charter

Access to Information • Section 2-10 grants the City Council authority to issue binding demands for information to department heads and the mayor. • The Charter requires that a department head or the mayor be granted fourteen days notice to appear. • Orders must be specific requests for information about the services, functions, powers, or duties of a department head, or, for the mayor, on any municipal matter. • Orders must be “related to the official duties and responsibilities of the City Council”. 1/8/2026 4 2025 Revised Charter

Confirmation of Appointments • Sections 2-8, 3-5, and 3-6 grant the City Council authority to confirm or reject: • department heads; • members of multiple-member bodies; • police and fire employees; • the city attorney; and, • the chief administrative officer. • An appointment generally must be acted on within thirty days after it appears on a City Council agenda. • Rejection of appointments must be made in writing, outlining the reasons for rejection. • Rejection of department heads, the city attorney, and the chief administrative officer requires a two-thirds majority of the City Council. 1/8/2026 5 2025 Revised Charter

Administrative Code Amendments Section 5-1 grants the City Council authority to approve or reject amendments to the Administrative Code. The City Council: • Has sixty days to act on a proposed amendment to the Administrative Code. • May only vote to approve or disapprove a proposed amendment to the Administrative Code. • Must hold at least one public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Administrative Code. 1/8/2026 6 2025 Revised Charter

Group Petitions • Section 2-11 requires the City Council to hold a public hearing on any petition submitted to it by at least fifty voters. • A public hearing on a group petition must be held within three months after the submission appears on a meeting agenda. • A public hearing may not be held on any subject more than once in a twelve-month period. • Twelve months from the time the petition first appears on the agenda. 1/8/2026 7 2025 Revised Charter

Budget Hearings Sections 6-2 and 6-5 require the City Council to hold two public hearings related to the annual budget: • On or before February 15, a community budget hearing to solicit public input regarding budget priorities. • Following the submission of the proposed budget, a hearing on the entire proposed budget. 1/8/2026 8 2025 Revised Charter

Questions? 1/8/2026 9 2025 Revised Charter