Question 3: Changes to Street Project Approval, City Property Disposition, and Office Leasing Charter Amendment

This amendment is about letting the city act faster across three areas: street safety improvements, choosing how to use small bits of land it owns, and leasing offices for the workforce. First, bureaucratic rules slow down the approval of new street safety infrastructure like bike lanes and busways. This charter tweak would remove some of the internal red tape that hampers the Department of Transportation’s ability to get to work when it knows there is a dangerous street or intersection in need of improvements. Second, the city has a set of small plots that cannot be used for city purposes and can generate needed revenue if sold. The current timeline for sale is roughly seven months; this amendment would speed it to 90 days, allowing multiple agencies to review the sale at the same time and exempting these small plot sales out of City Council review. Third, the city currently needs hearings and approvals from the City Council and City Planning Commission when leasing office space, slowing down the work of city government. This question removes those requirements. Simplifying office leasing and small plot sales are sensible, and speeding street safety improvements is vital. The amendment should be approved.