2006 Seattle Elections

General Elections Voters' Guide

Chrtr Am 10-Planning Commission Appointments - Ballot Title

Ballot Title

The city council has proposed an amendment to Article XIV Sections 1 and 2 of the city charter concerning the appointment and removal of the City's planning commission members.

This amendment would: (1) delete existing language giving the mayor the authority to appoint and remove planning commission members, subject to city council confirmation; and (2) provide instead that planning commission members are appointed in a manner determined by ordinance.

Should this charter amendment be

Approved ………
Rejected ………

1. The proposal

This amendment would change charter provisions concerning the appointment and removal of City planning commission members.

2. The charter as it currently exists

Article XIV of the city charter deals with the City's planning commission. Article XIV Section 1 provides among other things that commission members are to be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council. Article XIV Section 2 provides that the mayor may remove any planning commission member, subject to council confirmation of the removal.

3. The effect of this amendment if approved

Article XIV Sections 1 and 2 would be amended to delete the current provision concerning appointment and removal of planning commission members by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council. Article XIV Section 1 instead would provide that planning commission members are to be appointed in a manner to be provided by ordinance.

The city council has passed an ordinance specifying how planning commission members are to be appointed if the voters approve this charter amendment. The ordinance provides that of 15 planning commission members, the city council would appoint seven, the mayor would appoint seven subject to confirmation by the city council, and the planning commission itself would appoint one member. The ordinance would take effect only if the voters approve this charter amendment.

This proposition and Seattle Charter Amendment No. 16 amend different provisions of Article XIV Section 2 of the charter. Each amendment is independent of the other. If the voters approve either amendment at the November 7 election, then that amendment will be given effect. If the voters approve both amendments at the November 7 election, then both amendments will be given effect.