City's 79th Forum in Two Years -- All Charter, Baby

You've got to hand it to the City of Richmond. They sure know how to hold public forums, town halls and listening sessions. If you're a resident of the city with something to say, you don't need to check your calendar anymore -- just show up somewhere. There will be a hearing happening when you get there, mark my words.

The latest plan hearing, according to the Times-Dispatch, will be September 1 (which, unfortunately, is not National Grandparents Day). The topic will be suggested changes to the city's charter.

The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers of City Hall. Dinner will not be served.

According to the TD, the preliminary recommendations of a commission tapped by former Mayor Doug Wilder include:

• giving council the authority to appoint its legislative staff, which would be separate from the administrative staff that reports to the mayor-appointed chief administrative officer;

• giving the mayor the authority to appoint the city attorney and city auditor subject to the approval of the majority of the council;

• requiring the mayor to submit a chief administrative officer for appointment within 180 days of a vacancy and require council to approve or reject the nominee within 30 days; and

• giving the mayor the authority to veto any ordinance, including ones relating to the sale and lease of land and buildings, subject to council's override.

Go knock yourself out at the official Richmond City Charter Review Commission website. It is loaded with details, including a PDF of the recommendations.