The City of Huntington Beach has formally started its charter revision process after a commission—formed to research how the city’s charter can be changed—met for the first time Dec. 1. A city charter is essentially the municipality’s own constitution that lays out the fundamental governing structure and other principles that the city functions on, allowing them to have greater local authority. If a city does not have a charter, it must follow California’s general law. Huntington Beach’s charter has a provision that says the city should generally review the charter every 10 years. The city is overdue for about two years on the matter. This charter review was convened by Huntington Beach Councilman Mike Posey, who said the city should review its process for replacing councilmembers after the council voted to appoint Councilwoman Rhonda Bolton following former Mayor Pro Tem Tito Ortiz’s resignation. Bolton’s appointment was in lieu of holding …