ADOPTION OF NEW CHARTER BY THE CITY OF MAYWOOD PARK

QUESTION: Shall the City adopt a new City Charter?

SUMMARY: The current Charter was enacted in 1970 and has had no revisions since that time. The current Charter is therefore outdated and limits the City's ability to borrow money and levy taxes to benefit the City and ensure its continued existence. In order to operate more efficiently, the City is proposing a new Charter, which has been drafted by the City Council and includes provisions to better protect citizens and to allow the City to serve the community to a fuller extent. This ballot measure must be voted on and passed by Maywood Park voters in order to allow the City to adopt the new Charter.


EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The City is proposing a new Charter, which has been drafted by the City Council and City Attorney and includes provisions to protect citizens and to continue to allow the City to serve the community. The current Charter was enacted in 1970 and has had no revisions since that time. The proposed new Charter would enable the City to maintain its fiscal viability and allow the City to borrow money and levy taxes, in accordance with Oregon Revised Statutes, to ensure its continued existence. The new Charter also includes provisions for replacing a Council Member, in the event he/she moves outside the Maywood Park City Limits, resigns his/her position, or is unfit or unable to serve further as a Council Member.

Submitted by:

Mark Hardie
Mayor
Maywood Park, Oregon


No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.


ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

On May 18, 2010, you will be asked to vote on a very important issue that affects the ongoing independence of the City of Maywood Park. The City Charter provides guidance and rules for the Maywood Park City Government to continue to operate. The original Charter, enacted in 1970, was designed to aid the community in its fight against placement of Interstate 205. Since that time, the needs and expectations of Maywood Park citizens have evolved. Changes made to the City Charter include issues not addressed in the original Charter, such as filling vacancies of City Council Members and appointment of City Officials. The drafting of the new City Charter was a collaborative effort between the members of the City Council, the City Attorney, and the League of Oregon Cities. The City Council urges you to vote “yes” on this Ballot Measure.

(This information furnished by Mayor Mark Hardie )

The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.