City Charter Proposed Amendments

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 25 of the Millersburg City Charter, that public hearings concerning the following proposed amendments to the City of Millersburg Charter will be held during the April 13, 2021 and May 11, 2021 City Council meetings.

Currently, Section 12 reads as follows:

The City Council shall appoint and hire a City clerk and recorder who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The wages of the clerk and recorder shall be determined by the Council in a written agreement with said person. The City Council may appoint other officers, and may enter into agreements with other government agencies for sharing the services of such officers. Any officer or employee may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Council. The City Council may combine any two or more appointed City offices and designate the wage or payment for services for each office held. The City Council may, by ordinance, determine that a councilman be paid a wage for services, provided insurance for his services, and that his expenses on behalf of the City be reimbursed.

The proposed Section 12 would read as follows:

The City Council shall appoint and hire a City Manager City clerk and recorder who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The wages of the City Manager clerk and recorder shall be determined by the Council in a written agreement with said person. The City Manager Council may appoint shall hire all City officers and/or employees, or may delegate the hiring of other City officers and/or employees, and may enter into agreements with other government agencies for sharing the services of such officers and/or employees.  The City Manager shall hire and retain all non-City professional services providers.  The City Manager, with the consent of the City Council, shall hire and retain the professional services of the City Attorney.  The City Manager Any officer or employee may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Council. The City Council may combine any two or more appointed City offices and designate the wage or payment for services for each office held. The City Council may, by ordinance, determine that a Councilor councilman be paid a wage for services, provided insurance for his services, and that his expenses paid by Councilor, on behalf of the City, be reimbursed.

Currently, Section 20 reads as follows:

All Council meetings where the Council takes action by motion and voting shall take place at meetings open to the public. However, the Council may, by majority vote, determine to discuss City matters at an executive meeting which shall not be open to the public, on matters of finance and personnel. Nothing in this provision shall prevent Council members from meeting and discussing City business wherein no action by the Council nor a vote by the Council upon a motion will not take place.\

The proposed Section 20 would read as follows:

All Council meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Oregon Public Records and Meetings Law.

Currently, Section 23 reads as follows:

The mayor shall appoint the committees provided by the rules of the Council. He shall sign all records of proceedings approved by the Council. He shall have no veto power and shall sign all ordinances passed by the Council within three days after their passage. After the Council approves a bond of a City officer or a bond for a license, contract, or proposal, the mayor shall endorse the bond.

The proposed Section 23 would read as follows:

The mayor Council shall appoint the committees provided by the rules of the Council. He The mayor shall sign all records of proceedings approved by the Council. He The mayor shall have no veto power and shall sign all ordinances passed by the Council within three days after their passage. After the Council approves a bond of a City officer or a bond for a license, contract, or proposal, the mayor shall endorse the bond.

Currently, Section 24 reads as follows:

The City Council may appoint a municipal judge as the judicial officer of the City, whose qualifications shall be that he is a member of the Oregon State Attorney’s Bar. The City Council may determine all matters with reference to his duties and conduct of a municipal court. The City Council may also enter into an agreement with Linn County, Oregon, that all offenses committed within the City that would fall within the jurisdiction of a municipal court will be prosecuted in the Linn County District Court by the City attorney and the City may enter into an agreement with the Linn County District Attorney’s office that the district attorney will prosecute all such offenses. Such an agreement shall determine the distribution of all fines and forfeitures between the county and the City.

The proposed amended Section 24 would read as follows:

The City Council may appoint a municipal judge as the judicial officer of the City, whose qualifications shall be that he is a member of the Oregon State Attorney’s Bar. The City Council may determine all matters with reference to his duties and conduct of a municipal court. The City Council may also enter into an agreement with Linn County, Oregon, that all offenses committed within the City that would fall within the jurisdiction of a municipal court will be prosecuted in the Linn County District Court by the City attorney and the City may enter into an agreement with the Linn County District Attorney’s office that the district attorney will prosecute all such offenses. Such an agreement shall determine the distribution of all fines and forfeitures between the county and the City.

The Linn County Justice Court shall be the jurisdiction for prosecution of violations of the Millersburg Municipal Code and/or City Ordinances.  The City Attorney shall represent the City in prosecution of any offenses prosecuted within the Linn County Justice Court or on appeal to the Linn County Circuit Court.

Currently, Section 31 reads as follows:

A proposed ordinance shall be read once in full at a Council meeting. An ordinance shall be passed by a majority vote of the Council. An ordinance shall become effective 30 days following passage by the Council, unless there is a provision included in said ordinance and the Council so determines that an emergency exists, and then the ordinance shall become effective upon passage by the Council and signature of the mayor. An ordinance may provide a later time for taking effect.

The proposed amended Section 31 would read as follows:

A proposed ordinance may shall be read once in title only if no councilor present at the meeting requests that the ordinance be read in full once in full at a Council meeting. An ordinance shall be passed by a majority vote of the Council. An ordinance shall become effective 30 days following passage by the Council, unless there is a provision included in said ordinance and the Council so determines that an emergency exists, and then the ordinance shall become effective upon passage by the Council and signature of the mayor. An ordinance may provide a later time for taking effect.

Proposed: Amend “Councilman” to “Councilor” throughout the entire Millersburg City Charter.

The public may provide testimony at one or both of these hearings via video or telephonic connection.  An official copy of these proposed charter amendments, with specific changes, will be posted in the Millersburg City Hall, on the City’s website, and at the Firehouse Corner Deli for inspection. Copies are also available to members of the public upon request by emailing info@cityofmillersburg.org. Connection information for the meetings may be obtained by contacting the Millersburg City Hall at (458) 233-6300, by emailing info@cityofmillersburg.org, or visiting the City’s website for the particular meeting.