Cedar Rapids Charter Review Commission members’ terms extended

CEDAR RAPIDS — The City Council on Tuesday extended the Cedar Rapids Charter Review Commission members’ terms through September.

The citizen panel reviewing Cedar Rapids’ governing document voted Aug. 11 to recommend changes that would broaden ethics language for top officials and also keep the door open to adopt ranked choice voting in lieu of a runoff system in the future.

Initially, commission chair Gary Streit had planned to present the recommendations to council Tuesday. That presentation is now slated to take place in September.

The council next meets at noon Sept. 13 in the City Hall third floor council chambers, 101 First St. SE.

The Charter Review Commission recently wrapped up the second review process since voters in 2005 adopted the city’s “home rule” charter.

When the charter took effect in 2006, it ushered in the council-manager form of government with nine part-time council members who guide policies that a full-time city manager and staff execute in the daily operation of Cedar Rapids.

The system replaced a five-person council where commissioners set policy and directed city operations.

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