RESOLUTION
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOWIE, MARYLAND
AMENDING SECTION 6, “MEETINGS” OF THE CITY CHARTER TO REQUIRE REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS AND TO CREATE A VACANCY ON COUNCIL FOR MEMBERS FAILING TO ATTEND THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., Article 23A, §§ 11-18, the City Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland (hereinafter, “the City”) has the authority to amend the City’s Charter, in accordance with the procedures set forth therein; and

WHEREAS, the City Charter sets forth, in Section 6, “Meetings”, provisions relating to meetings of the Council; and

WHEREAS, there are no provisions in the City Charter requiring regular attendance at meetings; and

WHEREAS, the City Council deems it to be in the best interest of residents to declare offices vacant for Council members who fail to attend three (3) consecutive meetings.

Section 1: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland, that Section 6 of the Charter of the City of Bowie is amended by adding a new subsection “B” as follows:


Sec. 6. Meetings.

A. * * * * *

B. A MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE MAYOR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE VACATED HIS OR HER OFFICE WHERE SUCH MEMBER FAILS TO ATTEND THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL FOR REASONS UNRELATED TO THE HEALTH OF THE MEMBER, MILITARY SERVICE OR OTHER REASON ACCEPTABLE TO A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL. MEETINGS SHALL INCLUDE REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETINGS FOR WHICH NOTICE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED OR ADVERTISED WORK SESSIONS OF THE COUNCIL. IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY, THE VACANCY SHALL BE FILLED AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 11 AND 35 OF THIS CHARTER.

[B.] C. * * * * *

[C.] D. * * * * *


Section 2: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Charter Amendment Resolution is adopted this ______ day of December, 2003, and that the amendment to the Charter of the City of Bowie, hereby proposed by this enactment, shall be and become effective fifty (50) days after its passage by the City unless petitioned to referendum in accordance with Article 23A, § 13, of the Annotated Code of Maryland within 40 days following its passage. A complete and exact copy of this Resolution shall be posted in the City Hall building for forty (40) days following its passage by the City. and a fair summary of the Charter Amendment shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the City not less than four (4) times at weekly intervals, also within the forty (40) days following it passage by City.

Section 3: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as soon as the Charter Amendment Resolution hereby enacted becomes effective, either as herein provided or following referendum, the Bowie City Manager shall send to the Department of Legislative Services, the following information concerning the Charter Amendment Resolution: (i) the complete text of this Resolution; (ii) the date of referendum election, if any, held with respect thereto; (iii) the number of votes cast for and against this Resolution by the Council of the City of Bowie or in a referendum; and (iv) the effective date of the Charter Amendment.

Section 4: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager of the City of Bowie, Maryland be, and hereby is specifically directed and instructed to carry out the provisions of Sections 2 and 3 as evidence of compliance herewith; and said City Manager shall cause to be affixed to the minutes of this meeting an appropriate Certificate of Publication of the newspaper in which the fair summary of the Charter Amendment shall have been published, and shall further cause to be completed and executed the Certificate of Effect.

INTRODUCED by the Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland at a Special Meeting on the ____ day of December, 2003.

PASSED by the Council of the City of Bowie, Maryland at a Special Meeting on the ____ day of December, 2003.

WITNESS: THE CITY OF BOWIE, MARYLAND

______________________________
Pamela A. Fleming, City Clerk


______________________________
G. Frederick Robinson, Mayor

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND SUFFICIENCY:

______________________________
Robert H. Levan, City Attorney