Commission votes to shift appointment language: mayor nominates, council confirms

The commission voted to alter multiple charter passages that previously gave appointment authority to the city manager, replacing that language with a mayoral nomination and city council confirmation process for department heads.

Discussion ran more than an hour as commissioners raised historical context, concerns about weakening the manager form of government, and the potential for increased political oversight. One commissioner said the change is intended to limit the ability of a single manager to make contested appointments and to give elected officials clearer accountability for hires; others cautioned the manager form of government exists because the city needed centralized day-to-day administration for a large municipal operation.

After amendments and extended deliberation, the commission voted to replace the city manager appointment language throughout the charter so department heads would be nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the council. The chair reported the motion passed 5–2. Commissioners acknowledged this change will require careful reconciliation with other charter sections and state statutes, and directed staff to provide a clean cross-referenced draft for future sessions.