February 3, 2004

Galveston Charter Review Committee

After a brief public hearing on proposed changes to the Galveston City Charter, members of the Charter Review Committee agreed to meet at least one more time before making recommendations to the city council.

Garrik Addison, who has worked with Charter Committee Member Greg Roof on two petitions to force an election on paid parking on the Seawall, noted a discrepancy in requirements for petitions.

"It seems kind of ridiculous to me that it takes ten percent to have a referendum on an ordinance, but it only takes five percent of the registered voters to do it for a charter amendment," Addison observed.  "It shouldn't be harder to initiate an ordinance than it is to initiate a charter amendment."

Addison said the discrepancy may encourage petitioners to put things in the Charter that could be addressed with an ordinance. 

Tom Lewis, a candidate for city council, said the City Charter, as written, is difficult to understand. 

"I wonder if the Charter Review Committee has ever taken the responsibility of reviewing that charter and removing legalese, and getting it more easy to understand," Lewis asked.

Chair Steve Greenberg explained that attempts have been made by past charter committees to update the language, but the result is bulky.

"When you do that, every article has to appear on there that you want to change," Greenberg said.  "You end up with 40 or 45 items, and it gets confusing."

Following the public hearing, Ruth Kempner tried again, unsuccessfully, to gain agreement on a proposal to remove new bonded indebtedness from the tax cap.

Next week, the committee will discuss a proposed amendment by Greenberg dealing with interfund loans, change in language on a proposed amendment dealing with the seven percent spending cap being developed by Finance Director Rick Glassett; and suggested changes in procedures for initiative and referendum being developed by Roof.

Photos and a recording of the meeting will be posted on The Online News Station

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