u/Existential_Elk

Tomorrow night is first public reading of proposed amendments to the city charter that were approved by the Ad Hoc Committee. Below are the summary of recommended amendments from the agenda packet:

Section 2.01 - City Council: to address the transition away from at-large elections. The Committee voted 6-1 in favor of this recommendation.

Section 2.01(E) - Term limits: reducing the maximum number of consecutive terms City Councilmembers may serve, from four 4-year terms to three 4-year terms. The
Committee voted 6-1 in favor of this recommendation.

Section 2.06 - City Council Compensation and Expenses: to add automatic annual salary adjustments for City Council, tied to the Consumer Price Index, with a maximum increase of three percent per year. The Committee voted 5-2 in favor of this recommendation.

Section 2.07(D) – Restriction on City Utility or Enterprise (franchise authority): eliminate voter approval requirement before a City owned utility or enterprise may be sold, leased for more than 2 years, contracted to, or put to franchise to any non- governmental party. This will allow the Council to franchise or contract for City
services without voter approval. The Committee voted 4-3 in favor of this recommendation.

Section 4.03 - City Attorney: to change how the City Attorney is appointed, from the current system in which the City Manager appoints the City Attorney, to a system in which the City Council appoints the City Attorney, and related procedural and structural changes. The Committee voted 7-0 in favor of this recommendation.

Section 4.07 – Boards and Commissions: strike language that all City Boards and Commissions are only advisory to the Council, allowing the Council to set the powers
and duties of Commissions and Committees by ordinance. The Committee voted 7-0 in favor of this recommendation.

Section 9.02 – Transition of Elected Officials from 1990: delete entirely as obsolete. The Committee voted 7-0 in favor of this recommendation.

Folsom Municipal Code § 2.48.030 – Campaign contribution limitation. To increase the campaign contribution limit in support or opposition to any candidate from $150 to $750. The Committee voted 7-0 in favor of this recommendation.

If the city council approves the recommendation from the ad hoc committee, the second public hearing will be on June 23rd.

After that it’s to the November 3rd ballot.

What are everyone’s thoughts on the proposed changes?

Former Folsom Mayor Kerri Howell is blasting a fast-tracked Charter review she says was conducted with little public input and packed with self-serving changes. Key concerns include a provision allowing the Council to outsource city services, solid waste, the zoo, even firefighting; without voter approval Plus a tripled Council salary, reduced term limits, and a fivefold increase in campaign contribution limits. She’s voting NO if any of it hits the November ballot.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Time: 5:00 pm

Location: Folsom Community Center, East Room
52 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630

At tonight’s Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee meeting, the committee is finalizing their recommendations to City Council for the May 12th meeting and to be placed on this year’s November ballot.

What’s everyone’s thoughts on what is being proposed?