## 2024 City of Oakridge Charter > [!Navigation Tips] > Below is the entire text of the 2024 [[Oakridge.CITY|City of Oakridge]] Charter (updated from the [[2024 City of Oakridge Charter INITIAL Text|text initially proposed]] for public comment). You can read more about charter revision process **[[2024 City of Oakridge Charter Revision|here]]**. > > The [[Measure 20-364 ‒ STAR Voting Ordinance Referendum|ordinance referendum]] on STAR Voting is distinct from this proposed charter. You can read our City Manager's clarification about the city's positions on both measures [[Clarification re City Support|here]]. > > You can hover your cursor over every clickable title to see an explanation "pop up" of: > **1. What changes have been made** from [the current charter](https://web.archive.org/web/20211130025640/https://www.ci.oakridge.or.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/general/page/15001/oakridge_charter_2012_11_06.pdf) and > **2. Why those changes are being suggested.** ### [[PREAMBLE]] We, the voters of the City of Oakridge, Oregon exercise our power to the fullest extent possible under the Oregon Constitution and laws of the state, and enact this Home Rule Charter. ### Section 1: NAMES AND BOUNDARIES  #### [[Section 1.1. Title of Enactment]] This charter may be referred to as the 2024 City of Oakridge Charter. #### [[Section 1.2. Name of City]] The City of Oakridge, Oregon, continues as a municipal corporation with the name City of Oakridge. #### [[Section 1.3. Boundaries]] The city includes all territory within its boundaries as they now exist or are legally modified. The city will maintain as a public record an accurate and current description of the boundaries. ### Section 2: POWERS #### [[Section 2.1. Powers of the City]] The city has all powers that the constitutions, statutes, and common law of the United States and Oregon expressly or impliedly grant or allow the city, as fully as though this charter specifically enumerated each of those powers. #### [[Section 2.2. Construction of the Charter]] The charter will be liberally construed so that the city may exercise fully all powers possible under this charter and under United States and Oregon law. The powers of the city under this charter must be liberally construed in favor of the city, and the specific mention of particular powers in the charter must not be construed as limiting in any way the general power granted in this article. This Charter’s interpretation must be examined in its entirety. #### [[Section 2.3. Where Power is Vested]] The Oregon Constitution reserves initiative and referendum powers as to all municipal legislation to city voters. This charter vests all other city powers in the council except as the charter otherwise provides. The council has legislative, administrative and quasi-judicial authority. The council exercises legislative authority by ordinance, administrative authority by resolution, and quasi-judicial authority by order. The council may not delegate its authority to adopt ordinances. ### Section 3: CITY COUNCIL #### [[Section 3.1. General Powers and Duties of the City Council]] All powers of the city are vested in the city council, except as otherwise provided by law or this charter. The council must provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law. #### [[Section 3.2. Council]] The council consists of a mayor and six councilors nominated and elected from the city at large. No member of the council, whether appointed or elected at large, may serve more than two consecutive full terms. #### [[Section 3.3. Mayor]] The mayor presides over and facilitates council meetings, preserves order, enforces council rules, and determines the order of business under council rules. The mayor is a voting member of the council and has no veto authority: a) The mayor must sign all records of council decisions. b) The mayor is one of four designees who can sign city checks. All checks and all reports of electronic funds transfers must have two signatures: one from the mayor or council president, and one from the finance director or city administrator.  c) The mayor serves as the political head of the city government. #### [[Section 3.4. Council President]] At its first meeting each year, the council must elect a president from its membership. The president presides in the absence of the mayor and acts as mayor when the mayor is unable to perform duties. #### [[Section 3.5. Rules]] The council must by ordinance adopt rules to govern its meetings. #### [[Section 3.6. Meetings]] The council must meet at least once a month at a time and place designated by its rules, and may meet at other times in accordance with the rules and laws of the state of Oregon. a) A period of public comment must be allowed at every council and committee meeting other than executive sessions prior to council or committee business. b) The mayor or three councilors may call a special meeting of the council in a time and place designated by its rules. #### [[Section 3.7. Quorum]] A majority of the council members is a quorum to conduct business. In the event of a vacancy due to resignation or other events, the quorum is reduced accordingly. In the event of an absence, a smaller number may meet and compel attendance of absent members as prescribed by council rules. #### [[Section 3.8. Vote Required]] Approval of four or more council members is necessary for any council decision, except that approval by a quorum of the council is necessary for replacement of a vacant seat. #### [[Section 3.9. Record]] A record of council meetings must be kept in a manner prescribed by the council rules and the laws of the state of Oregon. For every motion, a record of each councilor and his or her associated vote must be entered into the record. Whenever technologically feasible, from the effective date of the 2024 charter revision forward, a video or audio recording must be made of every council and committee meeting and a copy made available to the public. ### Section 4: LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY #### [[Section 4.1. Ordinances]] The council will exercise its legislative authority by adopting ordinances. The enacting clause for all ordinances must state “The City of Oakridge ordains as follows:” #### [[Section 4.2. Ordinance Adoption]] a) Except as authorized by subsection (b), adoption of an ordinance requires approval at two separate meetings.  b) The council may adopt an ordinance at a single meeting by the unanimous approval of at least four council members, provided the proposed ordinance is available in writing to the public at least one week before the meeting. c) If a proposed ordinance was not made available to the public at least one week prior to the meeting at which it was first considered, it must be made available to the public in writing at least one week prior to the second meeting. d) Any substantive amendment to a proposed ordinance must be read aloud or made available in writing to the public before the council adopts the ordinance at that meeting. e) A public hearing must be held on every ordinance. f) After adoption of an ordinance, the mayor and the city custodian of records must endorse it with the date of adoption, the mayor’s name and title, and the custodian’s name and title. #### [[Section 4.3. Effective Date of Ordinances]] Ordinances normally take effect thirty days after adoption or on a later day provided in the ordinance. An ordinance may take effect as soon as adopted or another date less than thirty days after adoption if it contains an emergency clause. For the purpose of this section: a) An emergency is defined as an urgent, sudden, or serious event, or an unforeseen change in circumstances that necessitates immediate action to remedy harm or avert imminent danger to life, health, or property. b) In a separate vote, at least ⅔ of sitting councilors must agree that an emergency clause is warranted. c) A referendum on an ordinance cannot be prevented by an emergency clause. ### Section 5: ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY #### [[Section 5.1. Resolutions]] The council will exercise its administrative authority by approving resolutions. The approving clause for resolutions may state “The City of Oakridge resolves as follows:”. #### [[Section 5.2. Resolution Approval]] a) Approval of a resolution or any other council administrative decision requires approval by the council at one meeting. b) Any substantive amendment to a resolution must be read aloud or made available in writing to the public before the council adopts the resolution at that meeting. c) After approval of a resolution, the mayor and the city custodian of records must endorse it with the date of adoption, the mayor’s name and title, and the custodian’s name and title. #### [[Section 5.3. Effective Date of Resolutions]] Resolutions and other administrative decisions take effect on the date of approval or on a later day provided in the resolution. ### Section 6: QUASI-JUDICIAL AUTHORITY #### [[Section 6.1. Orders]] The council will normally exercise its quasi-judicial authority by approving orders. The approving clause for orders may state “The City of Oakridge orders as follows:” #### [[Section 6.2 Order Approval]] a) Approval of an order or any other council quasi-judicial decision requires approval by the council at one meeting. b) Any substantive amendment to an order must be read aloud or made available in writing to the public before the council adopts the order at that meeting. c) The council must adopt and abide by ordinances governing the use of its quasi-judicial authority in land use and public nuisance hearings and may adopt ordinances governing any other use of its quasi-judicial authority. d) After approval of an order, the mayor and the city custodian of records must endorse it with the date of adoption, the mayor’s name and title, and the custodian’s name and title. #### [[Section 6.3. Effective Date of Orders]] Orders and other quasi-judicial decisions take effect on the date of final approval, or on a later day provided in the order. ### Section 7: ELECTIONS #### [[Section 7.1. Councilors]] The term of a councilor in office when this charter is adopted is the term for which the councilor was elected. At each general election after this charter’s adoption, three councilors will be elected for four-year terms. The seat of any appointed councilor will also be on the ballot, pursuant to Section 7.9, for a two-year term. #### [[Section 7.2. Members of Commissions and Committees]] All members of commissions and committees established by ordinance or resolution may be nominated by any member of the council and are appointed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the council. #### [[Section 7.3. Mayor]] The mayor in office at the time this charter is adopted will continue in office until the end of the mayor’s term of office. At the general election immediately preceding the end of the mayor’s term and every fourth year thereafter, a mayor will be elected for a four-year term. #### [[Section 7.4. State Law]] City elections and appointments must conform to state law, except as this charter or ordinances provide otherwise. All elections for city offices must be nonpartisan. #### [[Section 7.5. Qualifications]] a) The mayor and each councilor must be a United States Citizen and reside within the city for at least one year immediately before election or appointment to office. b) No person may be a candidate at a single election for more than one city office. c) No person convicted and currently incarcerated for a felony offense is eligible to run for city office in the current election cycle. d) Neither the mayor nor a councilor may be employed by the city. e) The council is the final judge of the election and qualifications of its members. #### [[Section 7.6. Nominations]]  The council must adopt an ordinance prescribing the manner(s) for a person to be nominated to run for mayor or a city councilor position. #### [[Section 7.7. Terms]] The terms of the mayor and each councilor elected at a general election begin at the first council meeting of the year immediately after the election and continue until the successor qualifies and assumes the office. #### [[Section 7.8. Oath]] Before beginning the duties of each office, the mayor and each councilor must swear or affirm to support the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Oregon and to faithfully perform the duties of the office. #### [[Section 7.9. Vacancies]] The mayor or a council office becomes vacant: a) Upon the incumbent’s: i. Death; ii. Adjudicated incompetence; or iii. Recall from the office. b) Upon declaration by the council after the incumbent’s: i. Failure to qualify for the office within 10 days of the time the term of office is to begin; ii. Unapproved absence from all council meetings within a 60-day period; iii. Ceasing to reside in the city; iv. Conviction of and incarceration for a felony crime while in office; v. Resignation from the office; or vi. Removal under Section 8.1(i).  Each vacancy reduces by one the number of sitting councilors. #### [[Section 7.10. Filling Vacancies]] A mayor or councilor vacancy will be filled within 60 calendar days by appointment by a majority of the remaining council members. The appointee's time in office runs from appointment until the next general election, when the seat of the appointee will also be on the ballot. If a disability prevents a council member from attending council meetings, a majority of sitting councilors may appoint a councilor pro tem. In the event that resignations or other events reduce the quorum to two or one, pro tem appointments may be made at the council’s discretion until vacancies are filled. For the purposes of [[2024 City of Oakridge Charter Text#Section 3.2. Council|Section 3.2]], fulfillment of the remainder of another councilor's vacated term does not count as a term in office. ### Section 8: APPOINTIVE OFFICERS #### [[Section 8.1. City Administrator]] a) The office of city administrator is established as the administrative head of the city government. The city administrator is responsible to the mayor and council for the proper administration of all city business. The city administrator will assist the mayor and council in the development of city policies and carry out policies and directives issued by city council. b) A majority of the council must appoint and may remove the administrator. The appointment must be made without regard to political considerations and solely on the basis of experience and qualifications related to government administration. c) The administrator need not reside in the city. d) The administrator may be appointed for a definite or an indefinite term and may be removed at any time by a majority of the council. Within six consecutive months after a vacancy occurs, the council must fill the vacancy by appointment. e) The administrator must: i. Attend all council meetings unless excused by the mayor or council president; ii. Provide reports and make recommendations to the mayor and council about the needs of the city; iii. Ensure that all city ordinances, resolutions, contracts, permits, and other city council decisions are administered and enforced; iv. Appoint, supervise, and remove city employees, except appointees of the mayor or council; v. Organize city departments and administrative structure; vi. Manage the preparation of the city budget; vii. Administer the city budget; viii. Administer city utilities and property; ix. Promote community involvement in city government and initiatives; and x. Perform other duties as directed by the council. f) The administrator has no authority over the council or over the municipal judge in the judge’s judicial functions. g) The administrator and other persons whom the council designates may sit with the council. The administrator may take part in all council discussions but not vote. h) When the administrator is temporarily disabled from acting as administrator or when the office of the administrator becomes vacant, the council must appoint an administrator pro tem. The administrator pro tem has the authority and duties of administrator, except that a pro tem administrator may appoint or remove employees only with council approval. i) No council member may directly or indirectly attempt to coerce the administrator or a candidate for the office of administrator in the appointment or removal of any city employee, or in administrative decisions regarding city property or contracts. Violation of this prohibition is grounds for removal from office by a majority of the council after a public hearing. In council meetings, councilors may discuss or suggest anything with the administrator relating to city business. #### [[Section 8.2. City Attorney]] The office of city attorney is established as the chief legal officer of the city government. A majority of the council must appoint and may remove the attorney. #### [[Section 8.3. Municipal Court and Judge]] a) A majority of the council may appoint and remove a municipal judge. A municipal judge will hold court in the city at such place as the council directs. The court will be known as the Municipal Court. b) All proceedings of this court will conform to state laws governing justices of the peace and justice courts. c) All areas within the city and areas outside the city as permitted by state law are within the territorial jurisdiction of the court. d) The municipal court has jurisdiction over every offense that an ordinance of the city makes punishable. The court may enforce forfeitures and other penalties created by such ordinances. The court also has jurisdiction under state law unless limited by city ordinance. e) The municipal judge may: i. Render judgments and impose sanctions on persons and property; ii. Order the arrest of anyone accused of an offense against the city; iii. Commit to jail or admit to bail anyone accused of an offense against the city; iv. Issue and compel obedience to subpoenas; v. Compel witnesses to appear and testify and jurors to serve for trials before the court; vi. Penalize contempt of court; vii. Issue processes necessary to enforce judgments and orders of the court; viii. Issue search warrants; and ix. Perform other judicial and quasi-judicial functions assigned by ordinance. f) The council may authorize the municipal judge to appoint municipal judges pro tem for terms of office set by the judge or the council. The council may also directly appoint and may remove municipal judges pro tem. g) The council may transfer some or all of the functions of the municipal court to an appropriate state court. ### Section 9. PERSONNEL #### [[Section 9.1. Compensation]] The council must authorize the compensation of city officers and employees as part of its approval of the annual city budget. #### [[Section 9.2. Merit Systems]] The council by ordinance will determine the rules governing recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, demotion, suspension, layoff, and dismissal of city employees based on merit and fitness. ### Section 10. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS #### [[Section 10.1. Procedure]] The council may by ordinance provide for procedures governing the making, altering, vacating, or abandoning of a public improvement. A proposed public improvement may be suspended for six months upon remonstrance by owners of the real property to be specially assessed for the improvement. The number of owners necessary to suspend the action will be determined by ordinance. #### [[Section 10.2. Special Assessments]] The procedures for levying, collecting, and enforcing special assessments for public improvements or other services charged against real property will be governed by ordinance. ### Section 11. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS #### [[Section 11.1. Debt]] City indebtedness may not exceed debt limits imposed by state law. A charter amendment is not required to authorize city indebtedness. #### [[Section 11.2. Reserved Powers]] ##### Proposing a New Ordinance or Set of Ordinances As prescribed elsewhere in this Charter, the city council has legislative authority to pass ordinances. Registered voters in Oakridge also have the authority to propose a new ordinance, or new set of ordinances, via an Initiative. a) For an Initiative to propose a new ordinance, or a new set of ordinances, to be put on the ballot, the corresponding Initiative Petition must be signed by a number of citizens totaling at least 15% of votes cast for mayor at the most recent election in which a mayor was elected to a full term. b) The city council may extend, via ordinance, the means by which signatures can be collected for an Initiative Petition, allowing electronic signatures backed by verifiable credentials. c) The city must maintain and make available to the public, whether via its website or via paper, a record of residents who are willing to help others with the process of filing an initiative or referendum. ##### Revising or Replacing the Charter Any revision or replacement of this Charter initiated by the city council is done via legislative referral (also called a “legislative referendum"). Any revision or replacement of the charter initiated by registered voters in Oakridge is done via Initiative. a) For an Initiative to revise or replace this Charter to be put on the ballot, the corresponding Initiative Petition must be signed by a number of citizens totaling at least 15% of votes cast for mayor at the most recent election in which a mayor was elected to a full term. b) Any procedure allowed for an Initiative Petition to propose a new ordinance, or a new set of ordinances, must also be allowed for an Initiative Petition to revise or replace this Charter. ##### Approving or Rejecting a Recently Passed Ordinance Registered voters in Oakridge also have the authority to approve or reject recently adopted local ordinances via a Popular Referendum. By state law, the referendum process does not apply to recently adopted resolutions or quasi-judicial decisions. a) For a Popular Referendum to approve or reject a recently adopted local ordinance to be put on the ballot, the corresponding Referendum Petition must be signed by a number of citizens totaling at least 10% of votes cast for mayor at the most recent election in which a mayor was elected to a full term. b) Signatures must be submitted to the City Elections Official within 30 days of the ordinance's adoption. c) No cost incurred by one or more residents between the passage of an emergency measure (see [[2024 City of Oakridge Charter Text#Section 4.3. Effective Date of Ordinances|Section 4.3]]) and the council's response to its revocation by referendum will be imputed to the city. #### [[Section 11.3. Ordinance Continuation]] All ordinances consistent with this charter in force when it takes effect remain in effect until amended or repealed. #### [[Section 11.4. Repeal]] All charter provisions adopted before this charter takes effect are repealed. #### [[Section 11.5. Severability]] The terms of this charter are severable. If any provision is held invalid by a court, the invalidity does not affect any other part of the charter. #### [[Section 11.6. Time of Effect]] This charter takes effect _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , 20_ _ .