Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says the City Council intends to send any legally sufficient charter amendment petitions to voters, but she is defending the council’s right to follow its established public process before doing so.
Her comments followed an advisory opinion from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers concerning proposed Lincoln Charter amendments. Hilgers said submitting a legally sufficient citizen petition to voters is a ministerial duty and that the city cannot use local procedures to prevent a proposal from reaching the ballot.
The opinion came as Lancaster County election officials worked to verify signatures ahead of the September 1 ballot-certification deadline. Gaylor Baird said the City Council already understands its obligation.
“They know they’re going to put things that have validated signatures on their agenda and make sure that they go to a ballot,” Gaylor Baird said in an interview on LNK Today with Jack Mitchell. “I’m not sure why he felt compelled to tell them what they already know. Thank you, Attorney General-slash-Captain Obvious.”
Gaylor Baird says resolutions submitting charter amendments require two readings before the council. The city must also provide public notice and comply with Nebraska’s Open Meetings Act. “Two readings take eight days just to happen, but also the preparation time going into getting it on the council agenda is not insignificant.