Model City Charter Committee

Conference Call Summary
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001

The Model City Charter Revision Committee was convened by its chair, Betty Jane Narver, for a one hour conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, to discuss process and other issues. A full roll call was not taken; however, present during part or all of the call were Eric Anderson, Linda Barton, Terrell Blodgett, John Buechner, Jacqueline Byers, Greg Crosby, Jim Dailey, Mony Flores-Bauer, Scott Fosler, George Frederickson, Chris Gates, Charles Gossett, Bill Hansell, James Keene (represented), Bob Kipp, David Miller, Sy Murray, Bob O'Neill, Tanis Salant, Phil Schenck, David Schultz, and Jim Svara. The call was facilitated by Derek Okubo and Bill Schechter.

The call began with a brief discussion of information sources and dissemination. The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration is having a panel on the charter reform process at its conference, most likely to occur on the morning of Friday, Oct. 26th. One comment called for a more prominent display on the National Civic League web site of the charter section.

The next portion of the call focused on ways of enhancing the charter revision process. Participants suggested holding at least one additional meeting because electronic and teleconference means of communication are insufficient. A participant suggested the conversation should be organized around a series of decision memos on key issues, including the process and utilization of the model, and direct democracy aspects like initiative, referendum, and recall. Participants briefly discussed the lexicon of charters, and whether to have different versions for different situations.

Other topics included the role of the committee in making decisions, and an emphasis that this process has been historically a collaborative one without voting. Regardless, the participants felt more face to face time would be useful, with technology as a supplementary instead of primary means of communication.

After this focus on process, the participants discussed the agenda for the December 7th meeting in Atlanta. Participants felt the target audience would determine what the final product would look like, and that the committee should pay more attention to deciding who that audience should be.

The participants discussed the desirability of breaking into small groups at the second meeting. The callers who spoke on this topic supported the idea, saying that to focus on the first three articles of the charter would necessitate smaller groups. Others said that it was easier to express ideas in small groups.

Some participants asked NCL to explore getting a smaller group together in Atlanta during the week of the National League of Cities conference before the Dec. 7th charter meeting and attempt to sharpen some of the issues for discussion. NCL will contact committee members regarding interest and potential times.

The participants discussed where to hold a March/April meeting, with Denver, Washington D.C., and Phoenix (in connection with the American Society for Public Administration's conference) emerging as options. The participants felt a survey should go to the whole committee to determine the most feasible date and site.