Home Rule Charter - 8/5/2024

The Walcott Home Rule Charter Committee public hearing was held August 5th, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Walcott Fire Hall.

In attendance were committee members Brian Boyle, Nina Stone, Keith Anderson, Beth Oestreich, and Jon Rieger. Also in attendance were Attorney Brittany Hatting, Mayor Vining, City Council members Brown, Oestreich Rhodenbough, and Janowicz. Audience attendees were John Kristianson, Jill Berg, Charles Hunt, Kathy Hunt, Shannon Brown, Eric Brown, Allen Stone, Sheila Davis, Ron Davis, Stuart Swandal, Shelly Swandal, Lydell Brandon, Diane Brandon, Linda Nelson, Christine Walz, Don Walz, Mark Olson, AubreAnna Colvin, Rose Wise, Paul Moyer, and Wes Fornshell.

Rieger called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. He turned the meeting over to Brittany Hatting.

Brittany introduced herself and provided a brief overview of Home Rule Charter and what this means for Walcott. Brittany reviewed examples of items the city can and cannot do under Home Rule Charter.

Questions were presented by public and discussion was held.

Beth Oestreich motioned to close the public input of the meeting, seconded by Keith Anderson. Carried.

Keith Anderson motioned to submit the draft of the Home Rule Charter to the city council for review, seconded by Beth Oestreich. Carried.

Hatting confirmed that the function of the home rule charter committee has been completed and thanked everyone for their service.

Janowicz motioned to approve the draft Home Rule Charter and to move forward with placing the measure on the November 2024 ballot, seconded by Rhodenbough. Carried.

Hatting provided the council with a draft measure for the November ballot. Oestreich motioned to approve the measure language, seconded by Janowicz. Carried.

Discussion was held regarding doing a publication of the charter or the option of delivering door-to-door. Council agreed to publish in the Daily News. A note will also be included on the water bill, and another letter will be sent out to all residents.
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Meeting was concluded at 8:00pm.