Updated June 10, 2019
How we govern ourselves is at the heart of our democracy.
For the City of Roseville, the document that governs how we conduct business is our charter. Every 10 years, the Charter Review Commission determines whether amendments should be recommended to the City Council as time, perspectives, and circumstances evolve and change. Once City Council decides which amendments to place on the ballot, the voters make the final decision.
The charter describes term limits, how the mayor is determined, how council vacancies are filled, the spending authority of the city manager, and how the City enacts, amends, and repeals ordinances. In addition, the charter covers the budget, council rules, bond sales, contract bids, municipal elections, and utility franchises.
At each meeting the Charter Review Commission discusses several sections at a time, makes recommendations, asks for additional research or holds topics for further discussion, and it takes public comment.
In the fall, the commission will begin to take formal action on changes it plans to recommend to City Council. The City Council will consider the commission’s recommendations and determine which ones it would like voters to consider in the November 2020 election.
Residents volunteering to serve were appointed by the City Council in February from a pool of applicants. Charter review commissioners are Rita Brohman, Sam Cannon, Peter Constant (vice chair), Kristine Dohner, Paul Frank, LaMills Garrett, Susan Rohan (chair), Robert Sanchez, and James Viele.
The City’s Charter is our constitution as a city. It’s important that our residents make their voices heard on these key policy areas. We want to hear from our community.
The commission meets 5:30-7:30 p.m. every third Monday from March 2019 through April 2020 in Council Chambers at 311 Vernon St. The meetings are broadcast and archived on the City’s website and shown on COR-TV: Comcast 14 and Consolidated 73.