The commission discussed whether to place charter‑committee referendum items on the March ballot and received a staff cost estimate showing a strict all‑mail election would cost roughly $540,000 while a standard citywide election (with vote‑by‑mail for registered voters who request it) was estimated at about $80,000.

Staff said the higher figure applies to jurisdictions that send ballots to every registered voter as a forced all‑mail election; the lower figure reflects the typical city election cost the county charges when polling places are used and vote‑by‑mail ballots are provided only to voters already enrolled in vote‑by‑mail. Several commissioners said the charter committee’s work should go before voters and supported moving forward, while one commissioner expressed concern about turnout and urged holding the referendum during a regular city election to boost participation.

On pension changes (item 10d), the city manager described a draft ordinance that would mirror state statute options allowing chiefs to elect among pension options or opt out, and the commission asked that the pension board review the proposal and provide an opinion before staff prepares a formal ordinance.

Next steps: staff to confirm election format and costs in writing and proceed with scheduling ballot placement for March under the standard election format; pension board to review the proposal and staff to return with ordinance language.