Politics & Government

Grosse Pointe Shores Councilman, Residents Seek Alterations to City Charter

Councilman Dan Schulte and about 15 residents are gathering signatures from residents to amend the city charter. Most of the amendments would revert the charter language to what it was when the city was officially a village.

A small group of residents have begun gathering signatures on a petition seeking to alter the city's charter--a guiding document that determines the details of operating the city and its elected officials. 

The petition began after Councilman Dan Schulte read and revised certain sections of the charter he believes should be changed. Most of the amendments for which the residents are trying to gather signatures call for the language to revert to what it was before the city was incorporated as such, Schulte said. 

One focus of the amendments is the appointment process of council members when an unexpected vacancy arises, Schulte said. The city has had a history of people running for office during election season, taking oath and then resigning--allowing the majority of council to appoint a new council member of their choice, Schulte said.

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Rather than allowing for the council majority to decide, Schulte's amendment calls for the person who earned the next highest votes at the polls to fill the vacancy until the next election in November. Then voters will determine who should complete the term. 

Additional amendments the group is seeking:

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  • A maximum tax limit of 16 mills with a vote by the public for any higher amount
  • Term limits of elected officials to two consecutive terms, now there is no limit
  • More defined language about removal from office

The group is also seeking the addition of two new sections addressing employee relationships and related party transactions, which would essentially limit decision-making by employees or elected officials on issues involving family members.

Many of the issues in the amendments stem from topics that have been hotly debated and discussed within the community for a while. One example includes in which there were two passionate sides: one agreed with the increase because residents replied in a survey they would be willing to pay more to maintain services; the other opposed it because they think the city has done a poor job cutting expenses. 

City Manager and City Clerk Brian Vick said there are currently 2,353 registered voters in Grosse Pointe Shores. Generally in order for a resident to get an issue on the normal November ballot, 5 percent of registered voters must sign a petition. 

If a petition merits a special election, then 20 percent of the registered voters must sign, Vick said. The signatures all must undergo verification to ensure there are no duplicates, people who are not actually registered or other errors--a standard process in signature petitions seeking change.

Schulte has not talked to Vick about the petition, so Vick said it is not clear what organizations or state officials may need to be involved considering its involving the city's charter. When the Shores transitioned from a Village to a City, Vick said there was heavy involvement by the state in establishing the charter and he believes that could be the case here.

Meanwhile, Schulte said the petition drive is going well but he did not have an estimate on the number of signatures gathered thus far.


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