Charter Revision Handbook
Table of Contents

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Charter Revision Handbook – Table of Contents

Preface
Note to the Reader-Introduction
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, Member Services

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 Critical Decisions for Charter Commissions
Dr. Susan Hannah, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne

Chapter 6 Tapping Appropriate Resources
William L. Stuede, Michigan Municipal League,General Counsel

Chapter 7 Relations with Other Actors
W. Peter Doren, Municipal Attorney

Chapter 8 Publicizing the Work of the Charter Commission
Thomas M. Donnellan, Municipal Attorney, Charter Consultant

Chapter 9 The Attorney General’s Role in Charter Review and Approval
Milton I. Firestone, Assistant Attorney General
George M. Elworth, Assistant Attorney General

Chapter 10 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

I. 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
   a) Auburn
   b) Port Huron
   c) Saginaw
8. Sample Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
   a) Caro
   b) 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
   a) Auburn
   b) Port Huron
   c) Saginaw
9. Sample Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
   a) Caro
   b) Marquette
10. The Home Rule Village Act (PA 278 of 1909) [link to Michigan legislature]