From the City's E-Newsletter:
There are several steps before the City Council can place a proposed city charter on the November ballot, including public noticing of the proposed city charter and two public hearings – tentatively scheduled for June and July - with a final decision on whether to place a city charter on the ballot occurring in late July/early August. A majority of voters must vote YES in order for Emeryville to become a charter city. Charter cities, unlike cities that are incorporated under the State’s general law provisions (as Emeryville is now) have “home rule” on issues relating to municipal affairs. So charter cities can maximize local control and pass legislation (by City Council or by citizen initiative) on municipal issues such as self-governance, contracting, adoption of certain taxes (subject to voter approval), and municipal elections for which general law cities must follow State law. About half of the cities in Alameda County are charter cities, including Albany, Berkeley, and Oakland. For more information about city charters and/or to watch the City Council meeting discussion on becoming a charter city, click here. To download a copy of the draft city charters that the City Council will be discussing at the April 22 City Council meeting, click here.
