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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 25, 1999jtmtgOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHT S CITY COUNCIL/CHARTER COMMIS SION JOINT MEETING - MARCH 25, 1999 1, CALL TO ORDER The Joint City Council/Charter Commission Meeting was called to order by Mayor Peterson at 7:00 p.m. 2, ROLL CALL Council Members Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Szurek, Jolly and Wyckoff Charter Commission Members Present: B. Magnuson, T. Landwehr, C. Christopherson, J. Cason, W. Antzaras, B. Peterson, J. Larson, J. Murzyn and T. Synowczynski (president). Also present were City Manager Fehst, City Attorney Hoeft, Police Chief Johnson and Council Secretary Student. 3, OUTSTANDING COUNCIL ISSUES A. Mayor/Council Salaries (Charter Chapter 2, Section 13) This matter is being considered at the request of the Charter Commission. Commissioner Landwehr noted that the Charter needs updating relative to this issue. He felt if the salaries were increased there would need to be justification. State statute directs that salary increases must be made by the Council. Councilmember Jolly noted this matter had not been brought up by the Council for consideration. Mayor Peterson advised that salary increases do not go into effect until after the following election so the officials who introduce this matter would not be part of a conflict of interest. The Charter President stated her opposition to an automatic escalator being introduced into salary considerations. She felt salaries should be raised only if council salaries in other communities were raised. How this would be monitored was a concern. The City Manager suggested that a committee be formed before the next election to research this issue and make recommendations. The make-up of this committee could be the chairpersons of each of the City's boards and commissions. He also noted this matter does not need to remain in the Charter. It was agreed that this matter should be placed on the agenda of an upcoming Council Meeting. B. Absence of Mayor, (Charter Chapter 2, Section 10) Mayor Peterson requested this matter be discussed after the next agenda item. -1- 4. NEW BUS1NESS A. Management of the Police Department (Mayor vs. City Manager) Commissioner Peterson reviewed his notes and stated this issue has been discussed for a very long time and on numerous occasions without taking any definitive action. At one time, members of the Charter Commission considered recommending placing this matter on the ballot. President Synowczynski recalled having discussed this item but intentionally not forwarding it to the Council for consideration. It was the intent of the Charter Commission to avoid holding a special election. Discussion continued regarding why the control of the Police Department was originally placed under the Mayor' s jurisdiction. It was not clear as to why this happened. The City Manger advised that this arrangement is unique unto Columbia Heights. In cities with which he is acquainted, the Police Department is traditionally under the purview of the City Manager. Councilmember Jolly views our City' s arrangement as antiquated and harmful. It also would not be appropriate for this matter to be under the jurisdiction of the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. The Police Chief addressed the history of the department while under the control of the Mayor. He felt it was difficult to "serve two masters" referring to both the Mayor and the City Manager. He also felt it had become very political on occasion and this could be repeated. Both the cities of Fridley and New Brighton have their police departments under the authority of the City Manager. Required qualifications for a City Manager to oversee a police department were discussed. The City Manager reviewed the courses he personally had taken to prepare for overseeing a police department. He stated that a person is needed who has some public sector management experience. Commissioner Magnuson views the situation as the Council being the body who makes policy and the City Manager has the responsibility of carrying out policy. It was also observed that the City Manager needs management skills to perform job-related tasks whereas the Mayor may not have any of these skills. All members of the Council agreed that the control of the Police Department should be under the City Manager rather than the Mayor. Some members of the Charter expressed their opposition and/or support of this position. Not all members of the Charter Commission verbally stated their opinion. Revisiting this matter was a consideration of some members of the Charter Commission. 5. OTHER BUS1NESS A. Status of Councilmembers on City Boards/Commissions The Charter President advised the Council requested this matter be discussed at this joint meeting. She noted that a Charter sub-committee had been established to address this matter. All members of the Council stated they would prefer not to have to serve on all of the boards and commissions. They agreed that the time consuming nature of this service is overwhelming at times. It -2- was felt that Councilmember' s attendance could be optional. The Mayor requested this be an agenda item for an upcoming Council work session. 6, GENERAL COMMENTS/DISCUSSION A. Process for Interviewing Council Candidates for Vacancy The Charter President observed that there appears to be a conflict in the information given to her regarding interviewing council candidates. She noted that these interviews were not audiotaped on the advice of the City Attorney. She interpreted a section of the Charter which requires this. The City Attorney responded that there are two areas in the Charter which address this matter and he stands by his opinion. He suggested that if it appears that some Charter language needs clarification this should go forward. The Charter President stated she wants another legal counsel for the Charter Commission rather than the City Attorney. Commissioner Peterson inquired if the President viewed this position as being one of conflict of interest. She responded that this is her view. Discussion continued regarding this being a "we" versus "they" situation. Some members of the Charter Commission stated that they do not view the City Attorney being legal counsel to the Charter Commission as a conflict of interest. Mayor Peterson advised of the procedure used to interview each candidate for the Council vacancy. The process was exactly the same for each applicant. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Peterson, second by Commissioner Larson to adjourn the joint meeting at 9:32 p.m. Roll call: All ayes Respectfully submitted, Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary -3-