The Governmental Processes Committee (GPC) on Wednesday backed a faster process for selecting members of the city's next Charter Review Committee – recommending that City Council members make appointments directly instead of using the city's traditional interview and screening process – to keep the review on schedule ahead of the March 2028 mayoral election.
The recommendation, approved by GPC Chair Philip Falcone and Councilmember Chuck Conder, now heads to the full City Council for consideration.
City Clerk Donesia Gause said staff brought the appointment process back to the committee after the 2026 election calendar extended to include a potential November runoff election in Wards 2 and 4.
After the new council members take office, one of their first tasks will be appointing a Charter Review Committee member. The GPC had previously postponed the appointments in 2025 so the newly elected council members could participate in selecting committee members.
However, the runoff election shortened the time available to recruit committee members, conduct public outreach and complete the charter review process.
Under the city's current rules, the council could choose from three appointment methods: the Mayor's Nominating and Screening Committee interview process, direct appointments by each councilmember with the mayor appointing two at-large members or any other process desired established by the City Council.
Conder said he favored allowing council members to make appointments directly rather than relying on the screening committee.
"I don't want to reinvent the wheel," Conder said, proposing recruitment begin October 1, with applications reviewed in November and appointments made by early December or – if necessary, by newly elected council members after taking office. He said the committee could be seated by early January 2027.
Falcone agreed, saying incoming council candidates should be made aware that appointing a Charter Review Committee member could be among their first responsibilities if elected.
During public comment, former Charter Review Committee member Malissa McKeith urged the city to begin the process as soon as possible, arguing the committee needs adequate time to study complex issues and gather public input before making recommendations.
McKeith, who said she has served on two previous charter review commissions, said the committee has historically examined issues such as the city's transfer tax, inspector general proposals and other governance questions that require months of discussion. She also encouraged the city to appoint members who are familiar with the city's governmental processes and major policy issues.
"The charter commission is really the one opportunity that the public has to learn about and take a hard look at our charter and also to familiarize staff and new council and new attorneys with some of the most foundational issues of our city," she said. "I think that takes a long time to do and several meetings."
Under the city charter, the City Council is required to appoint a Charter Review Committee every eight years. The committee reviews the charter, holds public meetings to gather community input and recommends potential charter amendments to the City Council.
While the committee develops the recommendations, the City Council decides whether to place any proposed amendments before voters at the next regular mayoral election. The council may also convene a charter review committee more frequently if it chooses.
Under the proposed timeline, recruitment would begin in October, with appointments made in early 2027. The committee would hold its first meeting in March 2027, provide its required report to the City Council in May, deliver additional updates throughout the year and submit final ballot language recommendations by November 2027.
Any charter amendments approved by the City Council would appear on the March 7, 2028 municipal ballot, with voter-approved changes taking effect after certification and filing with the California Secretary of State.
