TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU:
FROM: Karen M. McDonald, City Attorney
DATE: August 8, 2022
RE:
Title
Vote Yes Fayetteville Citizen Initiative Petition - Resolution Calling for a Special Election - November 8, 2022
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All Districts
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Executive Summary:
The Cumberland County Board of Elections certified the Vote Yes Fayetteville Committee’s petition on June 13, 2022. Upon receipt of a valid petition, the Council must adopt a resolution calling for a special election on the proposed amendments.
Background:
Back in March 2022, the City received a citizen initiative petition to amend the City’s Charter to change the City Council from a nine-member City Council where each council member is elected from one of the nine separate districts to a nine-member City Council where five council members are elected from five districts (one member elected from each of the five separate districts) and four members are elected at-large (from the City as a whole), consistent with the Model of Election described under N.C.G.S. § 160A-101(6)(d). The City was notified that the petition was certified by the Cumberland County Board of Elections on June 13, 2022, confirming the requisite signatures of at least 5,000 voters have been received, and that they are valid (see attached letter). The City Council is obligated by N.C.G.S. § 160A-104 to call for a special election on the question of adopting the Charter amendment to alter the structure of the Council. In order to proceed with the special election pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-287, the City Council must adopt the attached resolution specifying the details of the special election.
Issues/Analysis:
Type here
Budget Impact:
Type here
Options:
1. Adopt the resolution to call for a special election.
2. Do not adopt the resolution to call for a special election.
3. Provide additional direction to staff.
Recommended Action:
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-287, staff recommends that Council adopt the resolution for a special election.
Attachments:
Letter from Cumberland County Board of Elections
Resolution