May 21, 2026 Legislative
Location: Franklin Public Library
Date: May 20, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Rough Agenda
Below is what we plan to discuss:
- Approve minutes from April 9 meeting
- Minutes are located at the bottom right of the linked page.
- Short term rentals (STRs)
- Proposed changes to charter
- Other business
Agenda Breakdown
1. Minute Approval
Brenda Demers drafted minutes from the March 19 and April 9 meetings, which I expect to approve with minimal changes.
How Sam Sees it:
Councilor Johnston was absent from the April meeting; he ought to abstain from voting.
2. Short Term Rentals (STRs)
At the April 9 meeting, there was discussion on the draft STR ordinance, resulting in a third draft. Only the materials from the first draft are available on the website at this time. I am working with Director Chunn to post the updated drafts.
Also at the April 9 meeting, a resident, Stuart Trachy, volunteered to draft “lighter touch” STR regulations for the legislative committee to review.
How Sam Sees It:
I anticipate we will discuss both pieces and come to a recommendation for the city council or council agenda report for the next city council meeting.
3. Proposed Charter Changes
This is an opportunity for the members of the legislative committee to present changes to the city charter to bring to the broader council for consideration to place on the ballot in October. I’ve received the following from members: - Revision to C-32 “Tax Cap” - submitted by Councilor Warner
How Sam Sees It:
I’d like to submit my own thoughts for consideration by the legislative committee:
- Revision to C-32 “Tax Cap”:
- Strike “capital” from C-32 part B. This would allow the Franklin city council to authorize spending above the budget limitation by a 2/3rds vote of the council.
- This empowers the city council to actually control budget spending.
- Currently, the amount the city can spend is tied to how much was spent the previous year.
- Currently, there are 2 exceptions: bond payments and capital expenditures.
- As written, the cap does not allow the council to respond to costs that rise faster than the national cost of living index (e.g. gas, healthcare, insurance).
- As written, councilors can’t vote to raise the tax rate to bring in more revenue to the city, resulting in fewer teachers, firefighters, summer programs amongst others.
- Increased council flexibility gives voters more of a say in how their dollars are spent. Currently, councilors can’t determine an appropriate tax rate; it is set for them.
Global revisions:
- Change Board of Education to School Board. This affects the following charter sections:
- C-13
- C-14
- Reduce the gendered language in the charter (e.g. councilmen to councilor) as we have multiple women serving on the council. This affects the following sections:
- C-8
- C-9
- C-15
- C-24
- C-25
- C-46
- C-51
4. Other Business
None planned at this time.