GLADSTONE — The City of Gladstone will have to deal with not only the aftermath of the recent election, in which citizens voted to do away with special assessments, but also the possibility of further changes to the charter — either by the City Commission’s doing or yet more citizen petitions.

On Monday evening’s regular commission meeting, the topic was broached, but solutions were not discussed; City Manager Eric Buckman said that he and City Clerk Kim Berry had yet to meet with Attorney Steve Mann on how to proceed with amending the charter.

Mike O’Connor — the man behind the initiative to remove to city’s power to collect special assessments, which historically have been used to fund road work and more — has more suggestions. He sent out mailers to residents about another proposal.

Buckman reminded people on Monday that mass-mailed flyers may not be fact-checked and are protected under political advertising. He again encouraged people to do look further and ask city officials if they’re confused about how things work.

A recent mailer sent out advertises another petition to allegedly solve the gap in road funding that will be created when taxpayers stop paying special assessments. However, the new proposal appears to have been conceived through a misunderstanding of which funds support which projects.

“The City’s Public Works Deparment [sic] has been allocated only 5% of the $2.5 Million in property taxes and state revenue sharing the city receives each year. The petition will increase this to 20%, to maintain and improve all our roads in the city,” reads a flyer sent en masse by O’Connor.

Neither major nor local streets are funded through Public Works. According to the recent auditor’s report — done externally, not by the city — Gladstone’s expenditures for that department are largely for the cemetery, forestry, motor pool (government vehicles), administration, sidewalks and alley maintenance.

“If you have questions … Before you sign anything, please, please come to City Hall and I’ll go over the audit … or the budget and explain things,” Buckman said.

Pointing out that asking people to come in and get informed has not worked in the past, Commissioner Judy Akkala suggested another route — holding public meetings with informational presentations as part of the agenda, “not just once, but twice or three times.”

Commissioner Steve O’Driscoll — the newest member of the commission, first appointed five months ago before defeating O’Connor and another candidate to retain the seat in last week’s election — questioned whether there may be another way to amend or “clean up” the “antiquated” city charter.

Though many city charters are indeed very old, they are often overwritten by more regular revisions to state law. Berry said that the charter amendment process, while possible, is lengthy, involved and costly — and still always goes to a vote of the people.

Berry explained that since charters are mainly for giving authority, as allowed by Michigan’s Home Rule City Act, looking into ordinances — the next step down — may be another way to revise how the city operates.

In other business at Monday’s meeting:

– A new public safety officer, Eric Willour, was sworn in. He has 20 years of experience and has come to Gladstone after serving with Escanaba Public Safety for 15 years.

“We really, really needed another person, and I’m glad we got Eric on board now,” said Public Safety Director Ron Robinson. “His experience is gonna be outstanding — he’s got field training instructor, he’s got a fire instructor certification, so he brings a lot of experience and training to our department and we’re glad to have him.”

– Buckman reported on a recent meeting with Coleman Engineering about the upgrade to Colligo GIS. He said that the current system for Fernwood Cemetery is a work in progress but will make it handy to look up gravesites online.

– A five-county consortium, organized by the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Develeopment Regional Commission (CUPPAD), is in its early stages of a solid waste and recycling plan. This information was part of the city manager’s report, and Buckman shared that he was surprised by the number of townships that don’t recycle and don’t want to.

– Buckman reported on a guided tour of the new wastewater treatment plant, which is nearly done, and a meeting with the Revolving Loan Fund Administrator from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). Commissioners expressed that they would like to also see the improved plant when the project is complete.