Section 13-7 of the Marquette City Charter states, “Every ten years the city commission shall appoint a charter study group. The charter study group shall review this charter and make recommendations for changes in this charter. The charter study group shall make its recommendations within one year after appointment.” At the December 19, 2022 regular meeting, the City Commission appointed a Charter Study Group, in accordance with this section.

The study group was comprised of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk, and was tasked with determining whether there exists a need for Charter amendments. At that time, the Commission also directed the City Manager to plan for and schedule at least one public hearing in 2023 to obtain public feedback.

In recent months, the Manager, Attorney, Clerk, and Deputy Clerk conducted an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter review of the City Charter. This review -- and follow-up discussions with other City staff -- resulted in a short list of recommended amendments that was presented to the Commission last month.

Any proposed Charter amendment must ultimately be approved by voters at a citywide election. If the Commission decides to pursue amendments, ballot language will be drafted by staff and must then be approved by the City Commission and by the offices of the Michigan Governor and Attorney General prior to being put before voters.

Having heard a report of the full City Charter review, the City Commission scheduled tonight's public hearing to solicit public input on the proposed amendments.