The next hearing to discuss five proposed amendments to the Long Beach City Charter is scheduled for August 7. If placed on the November ballot, the amendments would allow the mayor and city councilmembers to serve three terms rather than two and get rid of what is referred to as the “term limits loophole” for write-in candidates; create a citizens’ redistricting commission to reconfigure the council districts every 10 years; give the city auditor authority to conduct performance reviews of city entities; consolidate the water and gas departments under a utilities commission; and form an ethics commission of residents to ensure government officials are following the city’s ethics laws. State law requires that three public hearings take place over a 60-day period to allow for public comment and recommendations for proposed changes.