Stothert looking at 'multiple' changes to Omaha's 'constitution'

During her April 1^st State of the City Address, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced plans to expand the City Council from seven seats to 12, with term limits for good measure.

A moment later she told her stunned audience—which included the council sitting in front row seats— ”April Fool.” 

[View Stothert's joke and the crowds' reaction above]

Yes, Stothert was just kidding about rewriting that specific part of the city’s fundamental stipulations—in effect the city's constitution— when the once-every-ten-years Charter Convention holds its first meeting later Monday (May 16).

But other changes are in the offing.

One appears to be no laughing matter for Omaha’s only three-time elected Mayor.

For the last several years, time and again, Stothert has made it clear that specific language in the Charter rubs her the wrong way.

She told that same State of the City crowd, “I’ve got to get the City Charter changed. Whenever they address the mayor, they address him as he (emphasis added). That’s still in there. That might be one of mine.”

Last October, Stothert told me she’s looking at “multiple” changes to the Charter.

She says its, “Pretty outdated, it still says when the mayor is out of town the City Council President becomes the Acting Mayor. Well, that could mean if I go to Bellevue I’m out of town. When the Charter was written we didn’t have cell phones, laptops, and computers.”

Another serious change in the wind is the timing of city elections.

Starting in 1993 the election of the mayor and all seven city council seats have been on the ballot every four years, the primary in April the general election in May.

That springtime vote in that odd numbered year finds those eight city officials with the ballot all to themselves, no governor or presidential race to compete with for the voter’s attention.

At the same time critics argue that those isolated city elections suffer from low voter turnout and are an unnecessary cost, roughly $1 million.

And that has found Stothert talking out-loud about moving those city races, which we also talked about last fall.

NCN’s, Joe Jordan: “On the subject of the charter review have you decided if you’re going to push to change the timing of the city elections?”

Mayor Stothert: “That’s one thing I’m considering.

NCN's Joe Jordan: “Have you decided or are you still just thinking about it?

Mayor Stothert: I think I would be a good idea to do that. I really need to evaluate and make sure that’s the direction I want to go before making an absolute decision.”

But it appears that decision isn’t up to the mayor, city council or even Omaha’s voters.

City Attorney Matt Kuhse tells NCN that state law (14-201) would have to be changed. In other words, moving Omaha’s elections is up to the Legislature.

The Charter Convention will be comprised of 15 members, eight appointed by Stothert, seven appointed by the City Council—each councilmember getting one.

According to the mayor’s office, the group must complete its work and forward recommendations to the Mayor and City Council within 10 weeks.