Item 2H: River Road Community Organization Charter Amendments

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Adoption of River Road Community Organization Charter Amendments Meeting Date: January 22, 2007 Agenda Item Number: 2H Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Beth Bridges www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5272 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Council is asked to adopt, by consent, the revised charter for the River Road Community Organization (RRCO). BACKGROUND Neighborhood associations/community organizations are governed by their charters. The City has set forth very general guidelines in the Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy. When a group updates its charter, the final step in the process is to bring it to the council as a consent item. Staff describes the process followed and highlights topics of interest. Process for revisions: A charter review committee was established by the River Road Community Organization (RRCO) Board. Proposed charter changes were reviewed by the Executive Board, with input from Neighborhood Services staff. Charter revisions were submitted to the general membership per the provisions in the existing charter. Notice of proposed charter revisions was announced in a postcard mailing. Charter amendments were voted on at the November 2006 General Meeting. The required quorum was met. Highlights are described below. Boundaries: There were no changes to the existing boundaries. The charter review committee discussed briefly the idea of simplifying the boundary between the RRCO and the Whiteaker Community Council. However, they decided not to pursue this change at this time. Voting: The RRCO’s charter update includes a provision stating that “Reasonable accommodations will be made to allow members in good standing with physical disabilities to vote.” Good standing is defined as attending a RRCO meeting within the immediately preceding 12 months, and signing the attendance sheet. Quorum is set at 10 members in addition to board members/officers. This is the level set forth in the February 2000 council-adopted definition of an active neighborhood association. Officers: The charter changed board officers from Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer to two Co- Chairs and a Secretary/Treasurer. Meetings: The City Attorney’s Office has advised staff that neighborhood associations are not public agencies and therefore are not subject to the State’s public meeting laws. Notwithstanding, this charter requires notice of general and board meetings and specify public information standards. The charter L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070122\S0701222H.doc