We post agendizing memo
(March 21, 2003) -- Councilmembers Dan Baker and Tonia Reyes-Uranga have agendized for the March 25 Council meeting a proposal to create a panel -- selected from applicants approved by the Mayor and City Council -- that would review proposals to change the City Charter, the structure of Council meetings and local governance and report back to the City Council within 180 days of its formation.
In their agendizing memo (which we post verbatim below), Councilmembers Baker and Reyes-Uranga dub the panel the "Long Beach Government Reform Taskforce."
[Begin memo text]
Date: March 25,2003
To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Councilmember Dan Baker Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga
Subject: Creation of a Long Beach Government Reform Taskforce
Our current budget crisis has resulted many proposals on ways to reform or change the way Long Beach City government operates. City staff recommendations include several possible changes to the Long Beach Charter and the Mayor's Budget Advisory Committee has recommended
other potential changes.
The number and complexity of possible changes to our Charter, and the fact that these measures will need to be approved by a vote of the people of Long Beach, require that we involve citizens directly in the process of evaluating potential changes to the Charter and how Long Beach is governed.
In addition, several Councilmembers have expressed and interest in reviewing the frequency, location and timing of Councit meetings to make sure they are being run as efficiently as possible and that they are maximizing opportunities for involvement by members of the public.
Again, these issues deserve the attention and review of a citizen panel to offer input and recommendations to the Council.
I propose that we convene the Long Beach Government Reform Taskforce from qualified applicants recommended by the Mayor and Council and that this body be charged with reviewing the proposals for changes to the Charter, the structure of Council meetings and local
governance and report back to the Council in 180 days of the formation of this task force.
