Proposed by the Kirkwood Charter Commission

For Submission to the Voters

Tuesday, April 5, 1983

 

 Charter Commission of the City of Kirkwood, Missouri

Bruce E. Woodruff, Chairman
Lois W. Bliss, Vice-Chairman
Arlan E. Dohrmann, Secretary

 

Richard J. Barr
Thomas A. Gibbs
John P. DeGarmo
William L. Hayse
Robert A. Dennis
Herbert S. Jones
Phyllis L. Evans
Bette B. Miller
Neil S. Ewing
Gary P. Reim

  Assisted by:

Agnes L. Garino

                       

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF KIRKWOOD

        In October, 1971, Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment permitting a greater degree of home rule for the cities of the state. At the April, 1982 election, Kirkwood citizens over­whelmingly voted to take advantage of the home rule provision and to review their present form of government. To accomplish this task, a thirteen member Charter Commission was elected to draft a new charter designed specifically for Kirkwood.

         The Charter Commission has sought out expert help, has requested and received input from present and past members of the City Council, has held public hearings and invited and received the views of citizens of Kirkwood in accomplishing the drafting process.

         The Commission has now completed its work and unanimously approved the proposed charter, which will be sub­mitted to the voters at the city election to be held on Tuesday, April 5, 1983.

         If the charter is approved at that time, it will govern the election of city officials on Tuesday, April 3, 1984, and will take full effect when those officials take office.

 

THE CHARTER

A city charter is the basic legal document for the city government. The charter provides the basic framework for the conduct of city government. A charter provides the governing body sufficient flexibility to deal effectively with problems confronting the city, and contains the necessary safeguards to protect citizens against the abuse of power. Allowing local officials a greater hand in running the affairs of the city is the essence of Home Rule. Some significant provisions of the charter proposed for Kirkwood follow.

 

FORM OF GOVERNMENT

It was the intent of the Kirkwood Charter Commission to retain the best features of the present city government. The proposed charter provides for a form of government, which places legislative and policy‑making authority in the City Council, which includes the Mayor, and the administrative authority in a Chief Administrative Officer.

 

COUNCIL

Under the proposed charter, all legislative power and policy making authority for the city rests in a seven (7) member council, one of whom would be the Mayor. Members are elected at-large for four year terms. Other than the Mayor, three council seats will be filled every two years on a rotating basis. Candidates for Mayor and Council will be nominated by petition and elections will be non­partisan. The city election will be held every other year on the first Tuesday in April in even numbered years.

 

MAYOR

The Mayor is elected from the city at large for a term of four years. The Mayor is the official representative of the city, presides over meetings of the City Council, and leads the annual review of the Chief Administrative Officer.

 

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

The Chief Administrative Officer is to be appointed by the City Council on the basis of professional competence. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be responsible to the Council for the administration of all city operations and may be removed by the Council at any time.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATION 

The charter continues all existing departments, but leaves to the Council the authority to establish, realign or delete departments or positions as circumstances dictate.

Personnel administration is the responsibility of the Chief Administrative Officer. The City Clerk, City Attorney, City Judge and all members of boards and commissions are appointed by the City Council.

 

FINANCE

The city will continue to have a fiscal year beginning April 1 and ending March 31, unless changed at a future date by the City Council. On or before 60 days prior to the end of each fiscal year, the Chief Administrative Officer is required to submit an annual budget to the City Council for its review and action. The Chief Administrative Officer must submit a three-year capital improvement program at least four months prior to the final date for submission of the budget. The capital program is to ensure planning for the city's future capital needs.

 

POPULAR CONTROL

The charter further provides the opportunity for citizen participation in city government through public hearings. Provisions are also included so that citizens may petition to require an election to adopt an ordinance (initiative), to repeal an existing ordinance (referendum), or to remove an elected official from office (recall). Amendments to the charter would require approval of the voters.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Strong controls are provided to prevent elected officials, members of boards or commissions and city employees from having undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

 

CONCLUSION/IMPLEMENTATION

If approved by the voters, to the extent necessary, the charter will go into effect to provide a transition from the present government of the City of Kirkwood to a new government. The agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers, and committees now established would be continued subject to changes made by the Council.

As a citizen of Kirkwood, you are encouraged to read and study the proposed charter prior to the city election.

Our overriding concern as members of the Charter Commission for the City of Kirkwood in drafting this charter is to insure, as far as possible in a written document, that this city will have effective and efficient government responsive to the wishes of the citizens of this community. We believe this charter will greatly assist in achieving that objective.

YOUR VOTE COUNTS April 5,1983.