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.”

In December of 2022, the City Commission appointed a Charter Study Group, in accordance with this section. That group, comprised of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk conducted an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter review of the City Charter, which resulted in the short list of recommended amendments that was presented to the Commission in the fall of 2023.

Following a public hearing in October of 2023, the Commission directed staff to draft ballot language for the proposed amendments.

Staff is now recommending five amendments to the City Charter, with resolutions included with this item.

In summary, the proposed amendments would:

1. Remove the requirement that the City Commission hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on the Monday following each regular city election, and stipulate that the commencement of each new commissioner’s term begins at the first regular meeting following the election.
2. Clarify anti-nepotism language to include the spouse of the city manager, the spouse of the Marquette Board of Light and Power (BLP) director, and the spouses of elective officials to the list of those disqualified from being employed by or holding any appointive office for the BLP or City during the term for which said elective official was elected or during the tenure of office of the city manager or BLP director respectively.
3. Remove term limits for boards and committees appointed by the city commission.
4. Indicate that all regular city elections be held at the time provided by State law and remove all primary elections for city offices.
5. Stipulate that within 20 days of the city commission approving any ordinance, the city must publish in a newspaper a digest, summary or statement of purpose of the ordinance, as well as a statement indicating where full-text copies of the ordinance can be found.

Once approved by the City Commission, the proposed City Charter amendments will be reviewed by the offices of the Michigan Governor and Attorney General. The proposed amendments would ultimately be presented to voters at the November 5, 2024 Presidential Election.