Final Charter Proposal 6-28-26-1 5
WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF POLSON, COUNTY OF LAKE, STATE OF
MONTANA, in accordance with Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Montana, do hereby
adopt this self-government Charter in order to secure the benefits of local self-government and to
provide for an honest and accountable council-manager government and confer upon the city the
following powers, subject to the following restrictions, and prescribed by the following procedures
and governmental structure. By this action, we secure the benefits of home rule and affirm the
values of representative democracy, professional management, strong leadership, public
engagement, and regional cooperation.
ARTICLE I POWERS OF THE CITY
Section 1.01 Powers of the City of
The City of Polson shall have all powers not prohibited by the Constitution of Montana, the laws
of Montana, or this Charter.
Section 1.02 Interpretations of Powers
The self-government powers and authority of this city shall be liberally construed. Every
reasonable doubt as to the existence of a city power or authority shall be resolved in favor of the
existence of that power or authority.
As provided by Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Montana, provisions herein
establishing executive, legislative and administrative structure and organization are superior to
statutory provisions.
Section 1.03 Restrictions
The property tax mill levy of the city shall be limited to that of Montana municipal governments
with general powers, except with the prior approval of the electors of the city voting on the
question in a general or special municipal election.
No increase in any city license fee, user fee or utility charge shall be made without conducting a
public hearing, as required by law.
ARTICLE II LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Section 2.01 City Commission
The legislative branch of the city shall be the city commission, which shall be the governing body
of the city. The city commission may be referred to as the city council.
All powers of the city shall be vested in the city commission, except as otherwise provided by
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
law or this charter. The commission shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the
performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law.
Section 2.02 Composition
The city commission shall be composed of six (6) commissioners, two elected from each of three
(3) wards and a mayor, elected at large.
Section 2.03 Qualifications for Office
Every resident of the City of Polson who is 18 years of age or older, a citizen of Montana and a
qualified elector pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 of the Montana Constitution and who has
resided within the city limits of the City of Polson for more than one year is eligible to hold the
office of commissioner or mayor.
Section 2.04 Terms of Office
Members of the commission shall be elected to four years, overlapping terms of office.
The mayor shall be elected to a four-year term of office.
Section 2.05 Elections
Commission members and the mayor shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis.
Commission members shall be elected by district (ward), which is apportioned by population.
Candidates for the commission must reside within the ward they seek to represent at the time of
their election and during the entire term of office.
The mayor shall be elected at large and must reside within the city limits of the City of Polson at
the time of election and during the entire term of office.
Section 2.06 Vacancy in Office
The offices of commissioner and mayor become vacant as prescribed by law.
Section 2.07 Removal from Office
A commissioner or the mayor may be removed from office by a finding, adopted by the
affirmative vote of four (4) commissioners, that the office has become vacant as prescribed by
law or by the recall of the commissioner or the mayor by the electors of Polson, as prescribed by
law.
Section 2.08 Filling Vacancies
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
When a vacancy occurs in the office of commissioner or in the office of mayor, the position shall
be considered open and subject to nomination and election at the next general municipal
election, except the term of office shall be limited to the unexpired term of the person who
originally created the vacancy. Pending such election and qualification, the commission shall
appoint within 30 days of the vacancy, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the commission
members, a person possessing the qualifications for office required by law and this Charter to
hold the office until the successor is elected and qualified.
Section 2.09 Powers and Duties
The commission shall be the legislative and policy-making body of the city. All governing
powers of the city shall be vested in the city commission except as otherwise provided by law or
this Charter and the commission shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of
all duties and obligations imposed by law or this Charter.
All members of boards, other than temporary advisory committees established by the manager,
shall be appointed by the commission. The appointment process shall be prescribed by
commission resolution.
Section 2.10 Chairman Chair of the Commission
The chairman chair and presiding officer of the commission shall be the mayor, who shall vote as
other members of the commission and shall not have veto authority. In the absence of the mayor,
the commission shall select a person from among their own number to serve as acting chairman
chair and presiding officer.
Section 2.11 Other Duties of the Mayor Power and Duties of the Mayor
The mayor shall be recognized as the principal officer of city government for ceremonial purposes
and shall have no other executive or administrative duties, except as specifically
prescribed by resolution. The mayor shall be a voting member of the city commission and shall
attend and preside at meetings of the commission, represent the city in intergovernmental
relationships,, present an annual state of the city message, appoint the members and officers of
commission committees, assign subject to the consent of commission agenda items to committees,
and perform other duties specified by the commission. The mayor shall be recognized as head of
the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law.
Section 2.12 Legislative Action
A quorum of not less than four (4) commission members, one of whom may be the mayor, must
be physically present when official actions are taken by the commission.
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
The affirmative vote of a majority of the total commission one of whom may be the mayor, (i.e.
4) shall be required for all official actions of the commission. If Montana law requires more than
a majority, then that law shall prevail.
Section 2.13 Procedure
The commission shall, by resolution, establish its rules of procedure and time and place of
meetings.
Section 2.14 Compensation
The compensation of the commission shall be set by ordinance.
ARTICLE III EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Introduction
In the council-manager form of government, the city manager is continuously responsible to
the city commission, the elected representative of the people.
Section 3.01 The City Manager
The city manager, who shall be the chief executive and chief administrative officer of the city,
shall be appointed by the city commission on the basis of merit only and may be removed only
by the affirmative vote of four (4) members of the city commission.
The city manager shall be appointed by written contract which shall specify the duties and
responsibilities, conditions of employment and compensation of the city manager. Said contract
shall not exceed duration of two years unless specifically extended or renewed by majority vote
of the city Commission
Section 3.02 Duties of the Manager
The city manager shall:
enforce laws, ordinances, resolutions and this Charter;
perform the duties required by law, ordinance, resolution or this Charter;
administer the affairs of the city government;
direct, supervise, and administer all departments, agencies, and offices of the city except as
otherwise provided by law, ordinance or this Charter;
carry out policies established by the commission;
prepare the commission agenda;
recommend measures to the commission in accordance with the City Code Requirements.
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
prepare and present the budget to the commission for its approval and execute the budget
adopted by the commission;
appoint, suspend, and remove all employees of the city except as otherwise provided by law,
ordinance or this Charter;
appointing members of temporary advisory committees established by the city manager;
provide staff support service for the mayor and commission members as authorized by the
commission;
assist the commission to develop long term goals for the city and strategies to implement these
goals;
Section 3.03 City Manager’s Supervisory Authority
Employees appointed by the city manager and his or her subordinates shall be administratively
responsible to the city manager. Neither the commission nor any of its members may dictate the
appointment or removal of any employee whom the city manager or subordinates are empowered
to appoint. Except for the purpose of inquiry or investigation ordered by a majority vote of the
commission, the commission and any of its members shall deal with city employees who are
subject to the direction and supervision of the city manager solely through the city manager, and
neither the commission nor its members may give orders to any such employee, either publicly
or privately.
Section 3.04 Compensation
The compensation of the manager shall be set by ordinance.
Section 3.05 Chief Legal Officer
There shall be a chief legal officer of the city, who may be called the city attorney, appointed by
the city manager with the consent of the a majority vote of the commission, who shall serve as
legal advisor to the city commission, the city manager, and all city departments, offices and
agencies. The appointment process shall be determined by the commission.
The chief legal officer shall be appointed by written contract which shall specify the duties and
responsibilities, conditions of employment and compensation of the chief legal officer. Said
contract shall not exceed duration of two years unless specifically extended or renewed by
majority vote of the city commission.
The chief legal officer shall represent the city in all legal proceedings unless otherwise
determined by the commission and shall perform other duties prescribed by ordinance. The
commission may engage such additional legal counsel as it may require. be required to meet
exigent circumstances.
The chief legal officer shall be supervised by the city manager and shall have the status of a
department head, shall exercise independent legal judgment, and shall not except that he or she
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
may not be removed or suspended by the city manager except by the majority vote of the
commission. without the consent of the commission.
ARTICLE IV JUDICIAL BRANCH
Section 4.01 City Court
There shall be a city court or municipal court as prescribed by law.
ARTICLE V DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE
Section 5.01
The organization of city departments shall be prescribed by ordinance.
ARTICLE VI GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6.01 Amendment of Charter
This Charter may be amended only by the electors, as prescribed by law.
Section 6.02 Effective Date
This Amended Charter shall become effective on January 1, 2027
Section 6.03 Oath of Office
Before assuming the duties of office, all elected city officials and the city manager shall take and
subscribe to the oath of office as prescribed in Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution of
Montana.
Section 6.04 Severability
If any provision of this Charter is held invalid, the other provisions of this Charter shall not be
affected thereby. If the application of the Charter, or any part of its provisions, to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the application of the Charter and its provisions to other persons or
circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
ARTICLE VII TRANSITION PROVISIONS
Section 7.01 General Transition
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
Transition to this charter form of government shall be as prescribed by law. The Study
Commission shall provide for such transition with an advisory plan consistent with law. This
transition article shall not be published as part of the Charter after June 30, 2008.
Section 7.02 Continuation in Office
No current city employee shall lose employment solely because of the adoption of
this Charter.
All members of the city Commission holding office at the time this Charter is adopted may
continue in office until their successors are elected, qualified and sworn into office.
The person serving as the incumbent mayor in the existing, Commission-mayor form of
government may continue in that office until such time as the city manager is sworn into office,
at which time the office of mayor in the existing Commissionmayor form of government shall be
vacated. Pursuant to the provisions of section 2.08 of this Charter, the commission may appoint
the incumbent mayor to serve as the mayor of the new government until the expiration of his
original term of office.
Section 7.03 R e v i e w of Existing Ordinances
All city ordinances, resolutions and rules of the City of Polson shall remain in effect until
reviewed, continued, revised or repealed by the city commission. The city commission shall
review and, where necessary, revise or repeal all city ordinances to provide for compliance and
consistency with this Charter and state law no later than June 30, 2008.
We, the Study Commissioners of the City of Polson, do hereby
certify that this is the amended self-government Charter proposed
for the City of Polson by the Polson Local Government Review
Study commission and adopted by the voters of Polson on
November 3, 2026.
In testimony whereof, we set our hands.
SEAL
Done at Polson, Montana this day of , 2027
Larry Ashcraft, Chairman
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF POLSON
Peter Ridgeway, Vice Chairman
David Rittenhouse
Mark Hubbard
Philip Thelin
ATTEST:
City Clerk
SUMMARY
The report includes how and why there is a Local Government Review Study
Commission. It describes how the commissioners educated themselves about their
task, as well as how it went about its business. Specific findings were made as a result
of the survey, public hearing, interviews, investigations and observations.
Recommendations for further action are set forth in two categories: (a)
Recommendations for amendments to the City Charter which must be approved by the
voters, and (b) a supplementary report for action which can be taken by the City
Commission exercising its policy making authority.
While the Study Commission recommends keeping the Charter and form of
government, it recommends amendments to the Charter to emphasize the authority of
the elected officials to be the policy making body for the City. This starts with a change
to the Preamble language. Article II changes propose that the mayor have more
authority in setting the agenda, and reporting back to the citizens each year. An
amendment is suggested to ensure that a majority vote of the entire board is required
for the City Commission to act. The Study Commission also recommends that Article III
be amended to emphasize that the city manager is continuously responsible to the
elected officials, adds additional requirements for the manager to assist the city
commissioners, and clarifies that the chief legal officer is employed and/or terminated
only by the City Commission. It is also suggested that the charter be changed to allow
the City Commission to hire additional legal counsel as it may determine, rather than
requiring an exigent circumstance. Minor amendments include correcting text and
punctuation as well as deleting Article VII in its entirety, as there is no transition to a
different system contemplated.
The Supplemental Report lists those items which would require action by the City
Commission, and not a vote of the electorate. Suggestions include: (a) a review of the
Drug Policy, Hiring Policy and budgetary process, (b) amending the City Code to ensure
the City Commission receives input from the advisory boards and, (c) improving
communication between the City Commission and the Executive.
I
INTRODUCTION
“The Legislature shall require an election in each local government to determine
whether a local government will undertake a review procedure “once every ten years. .
.”. Article XI, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution. With this statement, the power to
examine, scrutinize, assess, and, if necessary, change local government structures is
clearly in the hands of the citizens of Montana.
A Study Commission was established for Polson by an affirmative vote to that
question at the election held in June 2024. As only five citizens filed to participate as
Study Commissioners, there was no requirement that they be submitted to the voters at
the election held on November 5, 2024. The city confirmed that Larry Ashcraft, Pete
Ridgeway, Mark Hubbard, Dave Rittenhouse and Phil Thelen were the only individuals
that filed with the election authority for the five available positions and would comprise
the Local Government Review Study Commission. City Commissioner Jake Holley was
appointed by the City of Polson to act as the ex-officio member of the Study
Commission. The Study Commission elected Larry Ashcraft to be its chairman and that
Pete Ridgeway be its vice-chairman. All commissioners serve without pay and freely
took the required oath of office.
“The purpose of the study commission is to study the existing form and powers of
a local government and procedures for delivery of local government services and
compare them with other forms available under the laws of the state.” MCA 7-3-172.
On December 10, 2024, the Study Commissioners traveled to Whitefish to attend
a day-long training session conducted by Ashley Kent of the government center from
Montana State University. Additionally, the Study Commission allocated the necessary
funding for each Commissioner to participate in the intensive on-line training course
offered by MSU.
Over the next year the Study Commission conducted open meetings at least
once a month. Interviews were conducted of the City Administrator, the City Attorney,
the Mayor and City Commissioners, the Department Heads, as well as former City
officials. Study Commissioners met with local citizens, businesses and civic groups. A
survey of the public was conducted. Public Hearings were conducted on October 2,
2025, and May 13, 2026. The Study Commission also reviewed charters from other
cities in Montana as well as a Model Charter. This report is the result of the
Commission’s efforts and sets forth the recommendation of the Commission. See
Appendix (a) Local Government Review Commission Public Involvement.
II
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY COMMISSION
Having considered the input received over the course of a year, we find as follows:
Our form of government is the Commission-Manager form of government which
utilizes the self-governing features of the charter which was adopted twenty
years ago. The Study Commission has the authority to make a recommendation
to the voters to change the form of government to one of those allowed by the
legislature. After study and consideration, it is found that the Commission-
Manager form of government remains the best option for a city the size of
Polson, with some proposed changes to the charter.
There shall still be an elected mayor and commissioners with no change to the
qualifications, makeup of the commission, terms and ward system of election.
No action shall have been deemed passed or enacted unless there are four (4)
votes cast in favor of a proposal. A majority of a quorum of four should not be a
sufficient number to bind the city and authorize the manager to act.
The position of Mayor is the only city-wide elected official and should have
specific authority to help set the agenda and vision for the future and provide an
assessment of the city on an annual basis.
There must be a renewed emphasis that the duly elected commissioners of the
City of Polson have the sole policy making power for the city. The establishment
of policy should be a collaborative process with input from the citizens,
commissioners, manager and staff, as well as compliance with the Montana
Constitution and state law.
All governmental officials need to understand the position to which they have
been appointed and become educated and receive formal training regarding the
power and authority granted them by the Montana Constitution, statutes and
charter. The manager is the city commission’s employee who executes its policy,
ordinances and code.
The charter itself should have some amendments to enhance the democratic
process and the policy making authority of the city commission.
The Chief Legal Officer should be hired or dismissed by the Commission which
may also establish the hiring process. In addition, we find that an exigent
circumstance should not be required to seek additional legal advice, but the
commission can determine on its own whether external expertise is required.
III
DISCUSSION
The City of Polson’s governmental structure is akin to a Constitutional Republic
or Representative Democracy, as citizens vote for leaders to represent them in
government. These representatives are bound to the people by the charter, which was
approved by the citizens. At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in 1787
Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government the delegates had created. He
replied, “A republic, if you can keep it”. This response emphasizes that government is a
fragile experiment that requires active participation and vigilance from its citizens to
prevent it from failing or turning into a monarchy.
In the Introduction to this report, there was an explanation of how the Study
Commission went about its business of learning and gathering opinions, facts and
information as to the running and functioning of the local government. As active citizens
of Polson themselves, with this task assigned to them, each Study Commissioner may
have also participated personally. Observation is a powerful method of data collection
that can capture real-time objective behavior in a natural setting. Observation of the
behavior of how the system is working can be as accurate as an interview of the actor
who expresses an opinion on how they believe it to be working. Study Commissioners
sometimes attended City Commission meetings or watched the live stream of those
meetings. The local media has been helpful in its observations of City Commission
meetings and its coverage of the issues of the day. One can deduce how issues are
presented to the elected officials and how the city functions by this observation.
Because the citizens, by their vote, required this review, the Study Commission
sought out information in the form of a survey. This survey could be taken online by
using a QR Code, taken on paper and submitted, or taken in person at City Hall.
Survey Results
A total of 180 responses were received; the results are as follows:
Question 1. Did you vote for the local government review? Yes 56.32% No 43.68%
Question 2. Do you feel the current form of government provides the best management
for city operations? Yes 27.37% No 39.11% Unsure 33.52%
Question 3. In your view, are the City Councilors and City Manager appropriately
operating within their roles as defined in the Commission-Manager form of government?
Yes 19.10% No 46.63% Unsure 34.27%
Question 4. Do you think the Commission-Manager form of government ensures
efficient and smooth city operations? Yes 27.53% No 43.26% Unsure 29.21%
Question 5. Do you feel the role of the Mayor in the Commission-Manager form of
government effectively represents Polson? Yes 31.84% No 40.22% Unsure 27.93%
Question 6. Were you aware that the Local Government Review Study Commission is
currently reviewing the form of government? Yes 58.10% No 41.9%
Question 7. Please indicate the appropriate age category: Under 18: 0%, 18-24:
1.11%, 25-34: 3.33%, 35-44: 11.11%, 45-54: 8.33%, 55-64: 22.78%, 65+: 53.33%
Interviews and Public Comment
The Study Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Elected Officials who
agreed to meet and be interviewed as well as those members of the public who
attended meetings and hearings to express opinions. All Department Head interviews
had to be arranged through the Manager. This procedure, along with a somewhat slow
response to requests for documents resulted in delays in the Study Commission’s
progress by months. Perhaps in the future a master schedule can be adopted by the
parties in cooperation with the Executive and that the process can be streamlined.
During discussions with the elected City Commissioners there were several common
themes adduced: (a) the Commission and Mayor are isolated from many decisions that
are made by the manager and, as a result, they become the first persons to receive the
citizen’s complaints. There was thought that there are decisions made that are policy-
making decisions that should be fully briefed to or approved by the Commission. (b)
Members of the City Commission are not sufficiently knowledgeable of their authority,
the city charter, state law, and the City Code. (c) City Commission members do not
have adequate preparation time for meetings which have a potentially momentous
impact, as the packets are available late Thursday for a Monday meeting. (d) the
administration should be more active in seeking financial grant opportunities. (e) the
quarterly review of the manager and the progress of the city is a critical review of the
manager and the meeting of the City’s goals and should be continued. (f) the City
Commission is not included in the budgetary process, except to approve or disapprove
a final product. The budgetary process is where meaningful policy is established. (g)
unless individual Commissioners receive constituent complaints, any other adverse
information received by the administration is unreported or filtered from City
Commission members
Interviews with department heads and staff uniformly supported the existing form of
government, with no interest in returning to a mayor-council form of government.
Department heads spoke favorably regarding the expertise and management of Mr.
Meece.
A public comment during a regular meeting questioned whether the current charter
and form of government had transferred too much authority from the mayor to the
manager. Although the mayor is the only official elected by all of those who vote, the
office is largely ceremonial, having little authority other than to chair meetings and
receive a vote.
While many citizens expressed a desire to return to a mayor-council form of
government which they felt would be more responsive to the electorate, many others
recognize that the individual tasked to execute the policy of the city and administer its
many functions is a full-time job requiring professional expertise.
The Study Commission expected more input to the process from the public,
however, few, if any, attended a regular meeting or contacted a Study Commissioner
through available communication opportunities.
When observing how the city government is administered compared to the
requirements of the charter and the city code there are instances of executive over-
reach which should be brought to the Commission for an amendment to the Code.
IV
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Study Commission recommends that the citizens of Polson retain the self-
rule benefits of a charter with a manager-commission form of government. However,
the Study Commission further recommends that there be amendments to the city
charter to clarify the power and authority of the branches of government in an effort to
make the elected officials and administration more collaborative with each other and
with the public who they are to serve. The exact changes and wording to the charter
can be reviewed in appendix “__”, which is attached. It is proposed that the wording
with lines running though it be deleted from the charter and that the red-lettered wording
be added to the charter. The following, is a summary of those changes:
THE PREAMBLE
The wording of the preamble is expanded to further describe the reasons for
government and the general benefit associated with the proposed form of government.
Article II, Section 2.01: Additional language is proposed to emphasize that the city’s
authority and powers rest with the City Commission.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Article II, Section 2.11: The existing language regarding the powers and duties of
the mayor is deleted and replaced with more expansive language which imposes more
duty upon the mayor and requires an annual state of the city message.
Article II, Section 2.12.2: The current language of this section would seem to
allow a majority of a quorum to be an official act of the city. As there are 7 voting
members, it is believed that an action should require a positive vote of at least 4 and not
3 just because 3 members are absent. Additional language is added to clarify that if
Montana state law requires a supermajority vote, i.e., a two-thirds vote, then that
number must be met.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Article III: Introductory language has been added to emphasize that the city
manager is continuously responsible to the elected representatives of the people, the
city commission.
Article III, Section 3.02: Adds two additional duties to the city manager requiring
specific assistance to the city commissioners.
Article III, Section 3.04 is deleted to eliminate an inconsistency in the charter with
respect to how the manager’s compensation is set.
Article III, Section 3.05: Renumbered as 3.04. Additionally, it amends language
of the section to make it the authority of the city commission to employ and/or terminate
the chief legal officer. It authorizes the city commission to adopt such procedures as it
sees fit in the hiring process. The previous language that the manager supervises the
chief legal officer is removed. As a department head, the chief legal officer has
administrative responsibility to the manager, however, the manager should not
supervise the chief legal officer’s opinions as the chief legal officer is responsible for
independent legal advice to the city commission. There is also an amendment to allow
the commission, in its judgment, to seek additional counsel as it may require. The
language requiring an “exigent circumstance” to hire additional counsel is removed.
TRANSITION PROVISIONS
Article VII: Because there are proposed amendments to the existing charter
which do not impact the existing form of government, the Study Commission does not
find that transition provisions need be included, therefore, it is deleted in its entirety.
V
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
The Section IV Recommendations will be presented to the voters at the election
of November 2026. This Supplementary Report addresses the concerns expressed to
the Study Commission but do not or cannot, in our opinion, be addressed by changes to
the form of government or the charter. Many issues can be resolved by exercising the
powers and the authority already in place as well as having better lines of
communication between the Executive and the Legislature.
The city drug policy for employees predates changes to the Montana law on the
subject. The City Commission should determine if this is a stand-alone policy or
contained in the personnel manual. During the interview with the City Manager, Mr.
Meece agreed that it is within the power and authority of the City Commission to
establish this policy. State law has specific requirements for policies such as this and
should be reviewed for compliance.
Some charter cities in Montana have detailed policies regarding the formulation
of a budget. Polson has none, and the City Commission is not presented an opportunity
to be engaged in the process until the budget has been completed by the Executive and
is presented in final proposed form. Many cities make this a collaborative process
including hearings for stakeholders, citizens and department heads to be heard.
The City Commission should consider a review of the any hiring policy which
may be in place to ensure that it meets the requirements of State and Federal
mandates.
The City Code provides for advisory boards. Often these boards consist of
citizens with a wealth of experience in the field and which can be a source of invaluable
knowledge and ideas. The City Commission may never get the benefit of that expertise
as the City Code allows the Executive to determine which suggestions get referred to
the elected officials.
The City Commission can solve some issues with respect to the amount of time,
or lack of it, that they have in receiving “the packet” of agenda items on Friday for a
Monday meeting. Perhaps the information on momentous issues can be shared by the
Executive sooner than the more routine matters which may not require the same
amount of study and thought.
How accessible is the Chief Legal Officer to the City Commission members? The
City Commission may want to consider the terms by which it, or members, can receive
legal advice that affects the City and the Elected Officials.