Proposed charter changes considered at public hearings Wednesday

The 2024-25 Cape Coral City Council. PROVIDED

Public hearings for three proposed changes to the city’s charter will be held Wednesday, a required stop to decide whether they are placed on the ballot so voters can decide whether the alterations should become part of the city’s foundational governing document.

The first ordinance, 9-26, is mostly a house-keeping measure concerning the position of mayor pro tem, a council-appointed post of one of its members to act in the role of mayor when the mayor is not available.

The official ballot referendum language proposed states, in part, “this proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to clarify that the election of the mayor pro tem shall be by the majority vote of the City Council to be held at the first regular council meeting following each City General Election.”

Ordinance 13-26 addresses candidate eligibility in the city’s charter.

The official  ballot language, “this proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to require any council member candidate be a continuous permanent resident of the district for the entire calendar year immediately preceding their qualification for office, excluding candidates impacted by Section 4.04 of the city charter and establishing procedures for complying with the residency requirement for a candidate’s permanent legal residency and domicile within the district and city pursuant to the submission of a sworn statement.”

Section 4.04 pertains to redistricting among the city’s seven districts, which is to take place every 10 years.

The final public hearing on the agenda is Ordinance 14-26, candidate qualifications, and election. The official ballot referendum language is “this proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to require eligible candidates for the office of mayor or council member to submit a sworn statement identifying their permanent legal residency and domicile, affirming that the candidate meets the residency requirements of Section 4.02 of the city’s charter, and submission of two documents establishing proof of residency pursuant to those acceptable documents set forth within new section 4.05(c)(2) of the city’s charter.”

The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, in City Council Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.

To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com