Full Handbook

Table of Contents

Home Rule in Michigan

Constitution of the State of Michigan 1963, Article VII. Sec 22 Local Government

Chapter 1 Structure of Local Government

Michigan Municipal League, Membership Engagement

Chapter 2 The Role of a Charter Commission: An Overview

Ken VerBurg, Boundary Commission Chair

Chapter 3 Making the Most of Charter Commission Meetings

Robert Queller, Citizens Research Council Executive Director

Chapter 4 Getting Started

Sinclair Powell, Municipal Attorney, Charter Consultant

Chapter 5 Relations with Other Actors

W. Peter Doren, Municipal Attorney

Chapter 6 Publicizing the Work of the Charter Commission

Thomas M. Donnellan, Municipal Attorney, Charter Consultant

Chapter 7 The Attorney General’s Role in Charter Review and Approval

Milton I. Firestone, Assistant Attorney General

George M. Elworth, Assistant Attorney General

Chapter 8 What Do You Do When the Draft is Done? The Politics of Selling the Charter and the Campaign for Approval

W. Peter Doren, Municipal Attorney

Thomas P. Dudenhofer, Chair, Stanton Charter Commission

Resource Material

1. City

1. Charter Revision & Amendment
2. So You Want a New Charter
3. Nature and Purpose of a Home Rule Charter
4. General Subject Areas of a charter
5. Mandatory Charter Provisions of the Home Rule City Act
6. Municipal Report “Organization of City and Village Government in Michigan”
7. Charter Commission Sample By-Laws
   1. Auburn
   2. Dewitt
   3. Lansing
8. Sample Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
   1. Bay City
   2. Caro
   3. Marquette
9. The Home Rule City Act (PA 279 of 1909) [link to Michigan legislature]
10. National Civic League—Model City Charter information [link to national civic league]

II. Village

1. Charter Revision & Amendment
2. So You Want a New Charter
3. Nature and Purpose of a Home Rule Charter
4. General Subject Areas of a charter
5. Mandatory Charter Provisions of the Home Rule Village Act
6. Outline of Procedures for Revision of Village Charter under Home Rule Village Act
7. Municipal Report “Organization of City and Village Government in Michigan”
8. Sample Rules of Procedure
   1. Auburn
   2. Dewitt
   3. Lansing
9. Sample Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
   1. Bay City
   2. Caro
   3. Marquette
10. The Home Rule Village Act (PA 278 of 1909) [link to Michigan legislature]