Title
An Ordinance Submitting a Charter Amendment to the Registered Qualified Electors of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado at the Special Municipal Election to be Held at the Coordinated Election Conducted by Mail Ballot to be Held on November 5, 2019, Relating to Selection of the President of City Council and Amending Section 3-20 of the City Charter
Presenter:
David Geislinger, City Councilmember
Body
Summary:
Pursuant to City Charter section 3-20, the City Council President is to be elected by the Council “at its first regular meeting on or after the third Tuesday in April of each odd-numbered year . . .” In addition to the election of the President, pursuant to Council Rule 1-1 the Council is to elect a President Pro Tem at the same time. Councilmember Geislinger has requested a referral of a Charter amendment to allow Council the discretion to set the date of an election of the President and President Pro Tem pursuant to its Council Rules. Also included in the proposal are draft amendments to the Council Rules that sets forth the timing of an election (in June instead of April) and the succession of officers in the case of term limits or another inability of an officer to serve prior to an election.
Previous Council Action:
This item appeared at the June 10, 2019 Council Work Session for discussion. Staff has included a new version of the necessary amendment to Council Rule 1-1 for the July 22 Work Session to reflect input from City Council on June 10.
Background:
Pursuant to City Charter section 3-20, the City Council President is to be elected by the Council “at its first regular meeting on or after the third Tuesday in April of each odd-numbered year . . .”
In addition to the election of the President, pursuant to Council Rule 1-1 the Council is to elect a President Pro Tem at the same time.
Due to this Charter requirement, the timing of an election by Council of its officers takes place immediately following City Councilmember elections.
Councilmember Geislinger has requested a referral of a Charter amendment to allow Council the discretion to set the date of an election of the President and President Pro Tem pursuant to its Council Rules as set forth in Charter section 3-50. Through the setting of the election date by the City Council Rules, the City Council will have the discretion to determine from time to time when it desires to elect its officers.
Also included in the proposal are draft amendments to the Council Rules that set forth the timing of an election (in June of every other year instead of April) and the succession of officers in the case of term limits or another inability to serve prior to an election. Succession of office would first be through a replacement of the President by the Pro Tem as contemplated in Council Rule 1-2 (B). If the Pro Tem is unable to serve due to term limits or any other reason, succession for the President and Pro Tem offices under the June 10, 2019 version would then follow the same process as set forth in City Code section 8-7-105 (A), “Continuity of Government.”
As an update following the June 10 Work Session, staff has included a version 2 amendment to Rule 1-1 for the July 22, 2019 City Council Work Session. This rule amendment would designate succession for the President and Pro Tem offices to the longest tenured City Councilmember, followed by the Councilmember having received the most votes among those elected on the same date.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Board/Commission Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Choose not to approve an ordinance submitting to the registered qualified electors of the City a City Charter amendment to section 3-20 of the City Charter relating to selection of the President of the City Council.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve an ordinance submitting to the registered qualified electors of the City a City Charter amendment to section 3-20 of the City Charter relating to selection of the President of the City Council.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance submitting to the registered qualified electors of the City a City Charter amendment to section 3-20 of the City Charter relating to selection of the President of the City Council.