City Of Omaha: June Deadline Set For Charter Study Review Convention

Omaha NE

18 May, 2022

2:26 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Omaha: May 17, 2022 Mayor Jean Stothert encouraged public participation in the review of the City Charter at the first meeting of the Charter Study Review Convention Monday night. "The process works best when citizens participate," said Mayor Stothert. Convention meetings are public meetings. The Convention will meet over the next three months to consider amendments to the Charter and make recommendations to the City Council. Amendments that receive Council support will then appear on the November 2022 General Election ballot. Amendments can be suggested by anyone. Suggestions can be submitted until June 10th. The email to submit recommendations for Charter amendments is [email protected]. "The expectation is, take a good look at the Charter, it's our Constitution, our governing document," said City Attorney Matt Kuhse. "What needs to be fixed, what needs to be updated?" The Charter requires a citizen-led review at least every ten years. The last Charter Study Review Convention was in 2013. "A lot has changed since then. Our city has grown, our population has become more diverse, and more engaged in local government. I urge you to listen to each other, collaborate, weigh the pros and cons of each idea, and have an honest and thorough dialogue," said Mayor Stothert. Committee members selected Paul Kratz as Chair, Maxwell Morgan is the Vice-Chair, and Kathleen Kauth will serve as Secretary. Kratz retired as City Attorney in December 2020. He has participated in several previous charter reviews. The committee also approved the meeting calendar. The next meeting is May 26th at 5:00 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers at the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center, 1819 Farnam. The meeting calendar, agendas, Convention membership roster, meeting videos and other information about the process is available at https://mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/2022-charter-convention. This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author's own.