City of Green Charter Review Commission Meeting Summary - May 4, 2026

The Charter Review Commission met on Monday, May 4, 2026, at approximately 5:54 PM (the agenda listed 5:30 PM but the actual start time was 5:54 PM as noted in the transcript). The meeting was held in the City of Green Council Chambers. Commissioners reviewed and voted on a series of proposed charter amendments, including changes to the form of government, public notice procedures, and parks board language. Major discussions centered on the mayor's temporary absence, parks budget allocation, and income tax revenue distribution. Several items were advanced as charter amendments, others were tabled or placed on a non-substantive recommendations list.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April 21, 2026 meeting were unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Temporary Absence of Mayor (Section 3.4a): The Commission debated whether to clarify the mayor's temporary absence language. Concerns were raised about the current phrase "temporarily absent from the city" being ambiguous and potentially implying the mayor is no longer mayor if outside the city. After lengthy discussion, the Commission decided not to propose a charter amendment but to include a recommendation for City Council to consider future clarification.
• Parks Board Language (Item 15): The Commission reviewed proposed redline changes to the parks board section (7.4B) following a lawsuit over open meetings. The debate focused on changing "shall" to "may" to avoid future legal exposure. A motion to accept the redline changes passed 4-0-1 (Commissioner Dufferin abstained, arguing the entire parks board section should be removed from the charter).
• Income Tax Allocation / Parks Budget (Item 16): A major discussion debated three options: (1) leave the 7% income tax allocation for parks unchanged; (2) eliminate all specific allocation, allowing full discretion; or (3) modify the current 15% operational use limit to 40% (the administration's proposal). The Mayor argued the 40% option provides necessary flexibility for parks operations and relieves pressure on the general fund for roads, while still maintaining a commitment to parks capital. Commissioner Dufferin presented data showing a 480% increase in general fund transfers to parks from 2015 to 2026. No vote was taken; the item was tabled to obtain the correct language before final consideration.
• Competitive Bidding and Law Director: These items were deferred to later in the meeting but ultimately not reached due to time constraints.

Key Outcomes

• Article 2 (Form of Government): Motion to add "strong" to "mayor-council" form of government as a charter amendment passed 4-1 (Commissioner Dufferin opposed).
• Mayor Term Limits (after 4-year gap): Removed from agenda as not necessary.
• Public Office Definition (Item 3): No change recommended.
• Judicial Powers (Item 4A): No change recommended.
• Law Director Removal (Item 4C): Tabled pending later discussion on law director section.
• Special Meeting Notice (Item 9): Motion to add email with read receipt and delete "leaving a copy at place of residence" passed unanimously (5-0).
• Committee Deliberation (Item 10): Placed on non-substantive recommendations list.
• Publication Notice Modernization (Item 11): Motion to allow electronic equivalent when newspaper is only electronic passed unanimously.
• Economic Development Assessment (Item 13): No charter change; placed on recommendations list.
• Emergency Language for Mayor (Item 14): Stricken from consideration; referred to job description review.
• Parks Board Changes (Item 15): Motion to accept redline language (changing "shall" to "may" in certain duties) passed 4-0-1 (Commissioner Dufferin abstained).
• Income Tax Exemption (Item 17): Placed on non-substantive list.
• Charter Review Period (Item 18): Motion to change review period from 7 to 5 years passed unanimously.
• Public Notice Modernization (Item 19): Motion to allow electronic/online equivalent passed unanimously.
• Income Tax Revenue Allocation (Item 16): Tabled to next meeting pending language clarification; no vote.
• Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously at 8:15 PM (approximate).

Note: The meeting agenda listed a start time of 5:30 PM, but the transcript indicates the actual start at 5:54 PM. Most votes were recorded with roll call; Commissioner Dufferin voted "no" on Article 2 and abstained on Item 15.