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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 20, 2000, MinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION JANUARY 20, 2000 7:00 P.M. GAUVITTE ROOM, MURZYN HALL CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President Theresia Synowczynski at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present:Bill Antzaras, Charles Christopherson, Mel Collova, Tami Ericson (7:16 p.m.), Jim Fowler, Ted Landwehr (7:21 p.m.), Janis Larson, Bruce Magnuson, Brian Peterson (7:35 p.m.), Tom Ramsdell, Theresia Synowczynski Members absent and excused: Joel Cason Members absent and unexcused: Carol Crema-Klein, Clara Schmidt Also present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Bill Antzaras, seconded by Tom Ramsdell to approve the minutes of the October 21, 1999, and January 7, 2000 meetings as presented. Motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE President Synowczynski briefly advised the members of the commission that she had wrote a letter to the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager regarding the issue of the management of the Police Department, as well as a letter regarding councilmembers serving on boards and commissions in the past few months. She acknowledged the letter of January 5, 2000, from Mayor Gary Peterson replying to her letter about the issue of the management of the Police Department. For the benefit of our new commissioner, the President highlighted the history of the issue of the management of the Police Department, noting that it has been discussed on and off since 1993. Some commissioners thought there should be no further discussion on this matter, as it was voted on and passed on to the Council to put on the ballot in 2000. Some thought the commission should have come to a consensus. President Synowczynski reiterated that the commission has been split on this issue for a long time, and that the item has been voted on and sent on to the council. The City Attorney advised the commissioners that there were no statutory requirements for the Charter Commission to reply to the Mayor’s letter. He also stated that he felt the council wanted the Charter Commission to take a stand-- either yes, management should be changed to the City Manager, or no--it should not. The City Attorney also advised the Charter Commission members that the council could do nothing on the issue, or they could put it on the ballot. After discussion, there was a motion by Ted Landwehr, seconded by Janis Larson, to send a letter to the City Council that we stand by our original decision on this matter, and that it should be placed on the ballot in 2000. After further discussion, the original motion was amended to add that the Charter Commission is willing to help the council in any way to inform the public on the issue. Motion passed 10 yes, 1 no. The Recording Secretary reported that the following correspondence had been received or sent since the October meeting: C Letters from the Chief Judge reappointing Ted Landwehr and appointing Mel Collova were received in November, 1999. C A letter from President Synowczynski dated November 29, 1999, was sent to the Mayor, Council, and City Manager which provided a history of Charter Commission actions on the issue of councilmembers serving on boards and commissions. The detailed history provided background information to the Charter Commission’s proposal to the council to change Chapter 2, Section 8, “Incompatible Offices” (which was discussed at work sessions on December 13, 1999, and January 3, 2000). C The Annual Report was sent to the Chief Judge and the City Clerk on December 3, 1999. C The oaths of Mel Collova and Ted Landwehr were returned to the Chief Judge on December 3, 1999, and December 21, 1999, respectively. C A welcome letter was sent to Mel Collova on December 6, 1999. C A thank you letter was sent to Julienne Wyckoff on December 31, 1999, for her service on the Charter Commission. C A letter from President Synowczynski dated December 30, 1999 was sent to the Mayor, Council, and City Manager regarding the issue of management of the Police Department and whether or not it will be placed on the ballot. C A letter dated January 5, 2000, was received from Mayor Peterson addressing the issue of the management of the Police Department. C President Synowczynski sent a letter dated January 6, 2000, to the Mayor, Council, and City Manager regarding a correction to her earlier letter on the issue of councilmembers serving on boards/commissions. C Commission members were sent information/agenda materials regarding the dinner meeting of January 7, 2000. NEW BUSINESS Introduction of New Charter Commission Member At this time of the meeting, President Synowczynski introduced and welcomed Mel Collova as our new Charter Commission member. Election of Officers Current officers for 1999 were Theresia Synowczynski-President; Brian Peterson-Vice President; and Joel Cason-Secretary. President Synowczynski asked for nominations for President for 2000. Motion by Tami Ericson, seconded by Bruce Magnuson, to nominate Theresia Synowczynski. No other nominations were made. Motion passed unanimously. Page 2 1-20-2000 President Synowczynski asked for nominations for Vice President for 2000. Motion by Theresia Synowczynski, seconded by Ted Landwehr, to nominate Tami Ericson. Motion by Brian Peterson, seconded by Jim Fowler to nominate Charles Christopherson. Charles Christopherson stated he would prefer not to be elected as Vice President due to other commitments. Motion for Tami passed with 10 yes votes; motion for Charles failed with 1 yes vote. President Synowczynski asked for nominations for Secretary for 2000. Motion by Charles Christopherson, seconded by Mel Collova to nominate Joel Cason. Motion by Brian Peterson, seconded by Mel Collova to nominate Bruce Magnuson. Motion for Joel passed with 10 yes votes; motion for Bruce failed with 1 yes vote. Slate of new officers for 2000 is: Theresia Synowczynski-President; Tami Ericson-Vice President; and Joel Cason-Secretary. Reappointment of Bill Antzaras President Synowczynski stated that the Chief Judge’s current procedure is to have two ways of making appointments/reappointments to the Charter Commission–that is, citizens are either to be recommended by the City Council or for citizens to be nominated by the Charter Commission. The City Attorney clarified that this is not a statutory requirement, but the Judge’s requested procedure. Motion by Jim Fowler, seconded by Ted Landwehr, to recommend that Bill Antzaras be reappointed to the Charter Commission. The President will forward a letter to the Chief Judge to that effect. Review of Language in Chapter 2, Section10, ‘The Mayor” President Synowczynski stated that some time ago, the Council had asked that the Charter Commission to “soften” the language in this section relating to the statement, “The Mayor shall have the appointment, control, and direction of all police officers of the city...” The President stated that language in Chapter 6, Section 53 (first paragraph) has a more “softened” language that could possibly be incorporated into Chapter 2, Section 10. Discussion ensued. Many members felt that it didn’t make sense to make any changes to that section of the charter until we know the outcome of the city council’s decision on whether or not they are going to place the item on the ballot in 2000. Motion by Brian Peterson, seconded by Mel Collova, to leave the language in Chapter 2, Section 10 the same. Motion passed unanimously. Review of the Last Half of the City Charter President Synowczynski stated that much effort had went into the first half of the charter in the past few years, and that more effort and review should go into the last half of the charter, especially starting with Chapter 6 to the end. She reviewed, chapter by chapter, when changes were last made to some of these chapters. Some sections had not be revised since 1984 or ever. The President asked each member to start reviewing the charter, starting with Chapter 6, and to bring in any Page 3 1-20-2000 proposed changes to the next meeting. The City Attorney stated that the changes made to Special Assessments and Eminent Domain were made due to statute changes. Brian Peterson asked about the comparison that was done on a chart of about 15 pages several months ago comparing sections of the charter (statutory vs. charter). The Recording Secretary was asked to provide copies of that chart to commission members again, especially for the benefit of new members. OLD BUSINESS Status of Councilmembers Voting on Boards/Commissions The President stated that the Recording Secretary advised her of several ordinances that will be having their first readings scheduled for January 24, 2000. These ordinances reflect the changes the Charter Commission has desired regarding removing councilmembers as voting members, but they can still serve as liaisons. The council letters that will be attached to these ordinances explains that councilmembers will vacant their positions as replacements are found. The boards/commissions involved are: Planning and Zoning, Telecommunications, Human Services, Library Board, Traffic, and Park and Recreation. The second reading of these ordinances is currently slated for February 14, 2000. The City Attorney stated that he recommended to staff to prepare these items in this fashion, thus allowing the council some flexibility as to the varying times that replacements will be made to these commissions. The council could table the second readings (several times if necessary) if there are no replacements found for the commissions in question at the time of those scheduled readings. NEXT MEETING DATE The next regular meeting date is April 20, 2000, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bill Antzaras, seconded by Tom Ramsdell, to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary Page 4 1-20-2000