FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Ruth Ruiz, (714) 765-5060 office, (714) 420-7797 cell
ANAHEIM TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE CITY CHARTER
Charter Review Committee to be formed; application deadline extended to June 13
ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 31, 2013) The Anaheim City Council approved plans for a review of the City Charter, including the formation of a Charter Review Committee as part of a review process, it was announced at the May 14 City Council meeting. The charter serves as Anaheim’s fundamental governing document and outlines certain authority and restrictions the City has over municipal affairs. The review, as unanimously approved by the City Council, will commence with applications being accepted for the Charter Review Committee.
Applications are currently available online and at the City Clerk’s public counter, and the application deadline has been extended through June 13. The applications will be presented for Council consideration and appointment at the June 18 City Council meeting. Criteria for candidate participation include being a registered voter in the City of Anaheim, demonstration of knowledge on how government operates, and a commitment to the time required during the charter review process.
It is anticipated the Charter Review Committee will meet twice a month during this review period. All committee meetings will be subject to the Brown Act and will be held in a public forum. The Committee will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the City’s charter, and provide recommendations for potential charter amendments for the consideration of the City Council.
The Anaheim City Charter was adopted in 1964 and approved in 1965, thereby establishing Anaheim as a Charter City in the State of California. City charters are often referred to as a city’s “constitution” and can function both to expand local city control over municipal affairs, as well as limit a charter city’s power. Since adoption of the charter, the City of Anaheim has conducted four charter reviews, or approximately every 10 years, and during that time 27 amendments have been adopted. The most recent charter review took place in 1999. Each charter review has included a citizen review committee.
For more information on the City Charter, the charter review process, as well as to access the application, please visit www.anaheim.net/charter.
For more information on the City of Anaheim, please visit www.anaheim.net.
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ABOUT ANAHEIM –The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation’s premier municipalities and is one of California’s most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation’s annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.