City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  08/06/07

Item No.:        

Informational:  Certificates of Sufficiency for Petitions for Referenda on Charter Ordinance No. 12—City Clerk and Charter Ordinance No.  13—City Treasurer

Background:   On May 1, 2007, the Common Council adopted Charter Ordinances #12 and #13, which related to the selection and tenure of the City Clerk and the City Treasurer.  These ordinances would change the two positions from elected to appointed.  In accordance with Wisconsin Statutes, a charter ordinance would not take effect until 60 days after passage and publication. If within the 60-day period a petition conforming to statutory requirements was signed by the number of electors equal to 7% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election, presented to the Clerk’s office, and determined to be valid, the ordinance would not take effect until it was submitted to a referendum and approved by a majority of voters.

On July 10, 2007, within the 60-day period, signed petitions to place the charter ordinances on referenda were received.  On July 30, 2007, the Clerk’s office, following procedures specified by Wis. Statutes and the Wis. Administrative Code, issued a Certificate for the Petition for Referendum for Charter Ordinance No. 13—City Treasurer declaring its sufficiency.  A Certificate for the Petition for Referendum for Charter Ordinance No. 12—City Clerk was issued as insufficient due to a lack of circulator certifications.  An advisory letter was hand-delivered to the petitioner’s designated contact person, and the errors were corrected on July 31, 2007, thereby allowing this petition to be declared sufficient as well.

Copies of the Certificates are attached.

Fiscal Impact:   At this point, the costs incurred are for staff time only.

Prepared by and fiscal review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk/Comptroller

Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator