[RP TownTalk] Follow-up Re: Change in Government

[bob smith]

Recalling the changes in Riverdale Park over the last 28 years, from
name change to bond decisions, I believe it would be disservice to the
Town and the citizens if a change in the form of the Town government was
not decided by referendum.

I urge the citizens of Riverdale Park to consider this matter on its
merits, thoroughly discuss it, and put the matter to a vote by all of
the eligible voters. I urge the Town Council to consider this approach
as means of ensuring voice of the people is heard and listened to.

Respectfully,
Bob Smith
Ward 3

On 3/2/16 9:15 PM, Alan K. Thompson wrote:
>     Will the Mayor and Council be the only ones who decide this matter
>     or will it go to referendum for a vote by the residents?
> 
> 
> Unless the citizens want a referendum, it will be decided by the
> Council. § 4-304 of the Local Government Code of Maryland (which governs
> amendments to municipal charters) allows referendum only at the request
> of the voters - the Council cannot initiate a binding referendum.


Entire message, to ensure continuity
\

Hi Audrey,

Thank you for your interest in this.  I'm happy to answer your questions
for the current draft, but things may change because of feedback from
the citizens and the Council.  I'll answer your questions after each one
below.

On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 6:24 PM, Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com> wrote:

    Just reading the Town Crier and Mayor's report regarding the change
in the town government.  A professional manager will be in charge of the
town instead of the Mayor.  I would like to hear what other residents
have to say about this and I do have questions.
    Will the CEO be required to live in the town?  I think this is very
important.


This is not in the current draft.  Greenbelt requires this of their City
Manager, but I don't think that either College Park or Hyattsville (both
of which have forms of government closer to the "Council-Manager" form
than we do) require this.  I can check into that and get back to you if
you're interested.


    What are the education and experience requirements for the position?


Currently full membership in good standing in the International City and
County Manager's Association, which is a professional accreditation
organization for managers of local governments.  They have stringent
requirements including educational requirements, and are recognized
around the world.


    Why do we even need a Mayor if the CEO is in charge?  Why not just
have a board?


In a lot of ways the Mayor is just a member of the Council under the
proposal, but he or she does have some additional responsibilities, and
is elected to represent the whole Town and not just part of it.  As I
said in my February Town Crier article about this change, in Greenbelt
(the closest to a pure Council-Manager form of government near us) the
Mayor is not directly elected.  The language from the current draft
says: "The mayor shall be recognized as the head of the town government
for all ceremonial purposes, by the court for serving civil process, and
by the Governor for the purpose of military and emergency law."


    Will the Mayor and Council be the only ones who decide this matter
or will it go to referendum for a vote by the residents?


Unless the citizens want a referendum, it will be decided by the
Council. § 4-304 of the Local Government Code of Maryland (which governs
amendments to municipal charters) allows referendum only at the request
of the voters - the Council cannot initiate a binding referendum.


    Who will the CEO be responsible to?  Can the council hire and fire?
 Is the CEO elected or appointed by council?


The Town Manager is hired and removed by the Town Council, and is
responsible to them and to the law; the exact language is "serves at the
pleasure of the Council" and means that the Town Manager can be removed
for any reason (or no reason, if the Council decides so).  The current
charter change draft has a specific process for removal of the Town Manager.


    Do any of the other local towns do this and how does it work for them?


College Park, Hyattsville, and Greenbelt all have City Managers, though
the split in power between the Council, Mayor, and Town Manager in all
three are different (and that split is still being adjusted in my draft,
even before formally introducing it).  I would say that this system
works well in all of those municipalities.


    I think this is a very serious and important matter and I think the
residents need to be involved and notified when we can review any
legislation and ask questions and it should be well advertised so people
are aware and know what's going on.


I agree.  I wrote my long article on it in the February Town Crier,
Mayor Archer wrote about it this month, and we can have up to 60 days
after introduction to discuss it before we have to pass it reject it.


    I would really like to hear the opinions and ideas and questions
from the residents.


Me too!

Thanks again for writing, and I'd love to continue the discussion.

Best regards,

Alan



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