Council strikes ambiguous removal/hearing clause from charter draft

Councilors flagged an existing charter provision (section 3B1) that laid out a removal/hearing procedure using broad defined terms such as "official" and "employee." Members said the phrasing could be read to apply inappropriately to a wide set of appointed and union positions.

After discussion, a motion to strike section 3B1 in its entirety was made and seconded; the motion passed. Donovan and Councilman Shawn Ronin recorded objections on the record, but the majority voted to remove the provision from the working draft. Council members asked staff and Corporation Counsel to ensure that protections for particular roles (for example, where statute or collective bargaining requires different procedures) are preserved elsewhere in the charter or by ordinance.

Why it matters: The council removed an older, catch-all removal/hearing provision because it could be interpreted to affect a broader set of positions than intended. Members asked attorneys to confirm where statutory or contractual removal protections remain in force.

Next steps: Corporation Counsel will review removal procedures that should remain (by statute, contract, or other charter provisions) and ensure any required protective processes for specific positions are retained or clarified elsewhere in the draft.