Vancouver City Council seeks volunteers for charter

The Vancouver City Council is seeking volunteers to write statements for and against five proposed amendments to the city’s charter to be included in this year’s Voters’ Guide.

The city charter is up for review and amendment every five years, according to the city. This year’s amendments include:

• Requiring council members who run for mayor in the middle of their term to give up their council seats.

• Simplifying the initiative process.

• Eliminating a requirement that ordinances before the council be read in full upon request. Instead it would require that the draft ordinances be posted on the city’s website.

• Emphasizing the importance of boards and commissions.

• Updating anti-discrimination language to include additional groups.

The city council must appoint up to three people to write the pro and con statements, according to a news release. Statements are limited to 250 words each and must be completed by Aug. 13. To read the full charter amendments, visit cityofvancouver.us/charterreview.

To volunteer to serve on a pro or con committee, contact Jan Bader at 360-487-8606 or jan.bader@cityofvancouver.us.