For the first time in Hollywood, the city charter could be updated within the year to include:
BackgroundThe charter is Hollywood's most basic legal document, in effect its constitution. In 2008, the City Commission appointed 11 Hollywood residents to review the city charter and make recommendations as to whether each provision should be changed, remain the same, be deleted, or new provisions added. The committee had to finish its work by Nov.30, 2009, the date it was set to dissolve. In developing its recommendations, the charter review committee held 53 open meetings including three (in Boulevard Heights, Beach Community Center, and City Hall) for the sole purpose of seeking public input. In addition, individual committee members reached out to neighborhood, civic, and business groups as well as the Green Team to seek suggested charter changes from a wide range of Hollywood voters. |
The Commission now must decide whether to accept, reject, or revise each of the suggested changes. Those charter changes the City Commission approves will be placed on the ballot in Nov. 2010 for the voters to make the final decision. A copy of the existing charter with the committee's recommended changes is here.
Now that the committee has concluded its work, the next step in the charter review process will be a workshop, probably in January, during which the City Commission will discuss the committee’s recommendations. Those who served on the charter review committee will attend the workshop so they can explain their thinking to the Commission.
Commissioner Beam Furr, who said he is looking forward to this workshop, noted that some of the recommendations – particularly those dealing with campaign finance reform and ethics -- are “revolutionary for this city…and for most cities.” He added that the new draft charter has "a chance to really be a model for other cities."
