APPOINTED CHARTER COMMISSION ISSUES FIRST RESOLUTION.

THE appointed Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission took an important step Wednesday adopting its first resolution outlining basic principles for writing a new ``constitution'' for the city.

The key element is to replace with almost unintelligible 700-page document with a shorter, more readable charter that clarifies authority and accountability in city government.

In the months ahead, the commission will sort out its stands on the questions of the power of the mayor, city council, neighborhood councils and other issues.

Here is the complete text of the resolution adopted on the topic: ``Should the Los Angeles Charter be a broad or a detailed document?''

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. Notwithstanding how the Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission will decide on other issues on the ``Road to Decision,'' our goals to provide a charter which:

a) Has a preamble and a bill of rights and responsibilities;

b) Is shorter more accessible document;

c) Is more flexible - by empowering elected officials with more authority to shape the structure and operations of the government;

d) Removes those portions of the Charter that are more appropriate for the Municipal Code and the Administrative Code;

e) Clarifies authority and accountability;

f) Prudently shifts the underlying emphasis of the Charter from diffusion of power and prevention of abuse to flexibility for change and clear accountability for City officials.

2. Commission staff is directed to move forward with recommendations on making the Charter consistent with the characteristics stated above.

3. Commission staff is directed to bring back for review examples of preambles and bills of rights and responsibilities after examining the preambles and bills of rights and responsibilities of other large cities and other relevant governments.

4. Commission staff is directed to bring back for review:

a) Recommendations on which provisions of the Charter are essential to the structure and operations of the government and must not be moved to Municipal or Administrative Code;

b) Recommendations on which provisions of the Charter which can, but should not be moved to Municipal or Administrative Code;

c) Recommendations which provisions of the Charter which can and should be moved to Municipal or Administrative Code.

d) Recommendations on which provisions should be deleted from the Charter.

5. Commission staff is directed to consider and propose revised and clarified Charter language and format to make them:

a) Factually correct and consistent;

b) Less repetitive;

c) Easier to read.