08/16/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

vote was taken on the motion which carried unanimously. It was noted that the total revised text of the charter would be approved e Monday noon as staff will need to make a few minor changes. It was noted that the City Attorney would have latitude to take care of grammar changes, etc., with the understanding that any changes would be brought to the Council's attention. Most recent changes were presented to the Council in a final draft of the revised Charter distributed at this meeting. Stan Long, assistant city attorney, explained that wording of the freeway amendment was changed to clarify what has to be pre- pared in the way of design and plans before going ahead with a road construction project. Orval Etter, city attorney's office, explained Section 49 in the revised version and its repeal of certain sections of the original 1905 Charter. Manager noted that Section 50 was revised to make collective bargaining provisions effective on September 22, 1976. Mr. Murray moved second by Mrs. Beal to approve the reivisions as presented in the draft distributed at this meeting. Motion carried unanimously. B. Collective Bargaining Manager noted that the revised Section 50, to make collective bargaining provisions effective on September 22, 1976, was agreed upon by the labor organizations and staff. He also noted that copies of an ordinance covering implementation of the Charter provisions on collective bargaining were previously distributed, and was recommended for adoption immediately upon approval of the revised Charter. Inter- e pretation of that ordinance was set out in memo, copies of which were distributed at this meeting. Mr. Murray moved second by Mr, Haws that it is the intent of the Council to adopt the collective bargaining ordinance as distributed immediately upon voter approval of the revised Charter. Motion carried unanimously. Copies of a new Section 50, entitled Public Education, were then distributed to Council members. This new section was proposed for inclusion in the revised Charter by Ray Wolfe, 1926 Potter Street. It would require a "balanced and un- biased discussion of fact and interpretation" to be included in any controversial or contested information distributed to the public. Also distributed to Council members were copies of a legal opinion with regard to the suggested new section. Manager said the proposed language would be very difficult to deal with, and the attorneys felt there would be a great deal of argument and litigation if the section was adopted in the form presented. He suggested that if better guidelines were needed, they should be adopted in ordinance form rather than being included in the Charter. Mr. Wolfe called attention to his letter accompanying the proposed new Section 50 in which he invited any legally suitable modifications in its wording. He said that, as well as the issue of including it in the Charter or in ordinance form, was a fundamental thing; the idea was to give as much unbiased information as possible to citizens if they were to be able to vote appropriately. He cited the . Trojan nuclear plant and the litigation involving EWEB members as an example. - ~ He thought it important that some sort of statutory provision be made for this type of public education. 8/16/76 - 4 t.t\'\