Form revised April 10, 2006

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
Legislative	Martha Lester / 4-8149	NA

Legislation Title:

A RESOLUTION submitting a proposition to the qualified electors of the City, at an election to be held on November 7, 2006, to amend Section 1 of Article XX of the Charter of the City of Seattle to delete “elected” in reference to members of the Council for purposes of proposing Charter amendments; calling on the City Clerk to certify the proposed amendment to the Director of the Department of Records and Elections of King County and requesting and directing such Director to call a special election and submit the proposition to City voters; and providing for the publication of such proposed amendment.

· Summary of the Legislation:

This resolution would submit a proposition to Seattle voters to amend the City Charter to delete “elected” in reference to members of the Council for purposes of proposing Charter amendments.

· Background: (Include brief description of the purpose and context of legislation and include record of previous legislation and funding history, if applicable):

The City Charter currently provides that a majority of all the City Councilmembers "elected" may agree to place proposed amendments to the City Charter before the voters.  The Charter also provides for the seated Councilmembers to select persons to fill vacant Councilmember positions.  From time to time a vacancy does occur on the City Council, because of a Councilmember's resignation or other situation, resulting in one or more Councilmembers having been selected rather than "elected."  A Councilmember filling a vacant Councilmember position has all of the same rights to vote on issues before the Council as does an elected Councilmember.  Modifying the City Charter, as proposed in this resolution, to eliminate the word "elected" would make it clear that Councilmembers selected to fill vacancies can participate in the voting process for placing proposed charter amendments before the voters.

· Please check one of the following:

__X_ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)