HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 19, 2000, MinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION
OCTOBER 19, 2000
7:00 P.M.
GAUVITTE ROOM, MURZYN HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Tami Ericson, at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members present: Bill Antzaras, Charles Christopherson, Mel Collova, Tami Ericson, Jim
Fowler, Ted Landwehr, Clara Schmidt, Joe Sturdevant
Members absent and excused: Theresia Synowczynski, Janis Larson
Members absent and unexcused: Joel Cason, Michael Hartel, Brian Peterson, Tom Ramsdell
Also present: Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary
Note: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; was absent due to illness.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Bill Antzaras, seconded by Jim Fowler, to approve the minutes of May 18, 2000, as
presented. Motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Recording Secretary reported the following correspondence:
Letter from the Chief Judge reappointing Janis Larson
Resignation letter received from Carol Crema Klein
Letter to Carol Crema Klein thanking her for her service
Letter from the Chief Judge appointing Joseph Sturdevant to the Charter Commission
Letter with signed oath of Joseph Sturdevant sent to the Chief Judge
Letter sent to Joseph Sturdevant welcoming him to the commission
OLD BUSINESS
Status of Commission Membership
Carol Crema-Klein has resigned. Joseph Sturdevant has been appointed as a new member.
Joel Cason and Brian Petersons terms expired in October of 2000. Since neither one of them are
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here tonight, they need to be contacted regarding their intentions and letters need to be done to the
Chief Judge either way.
Continued Discussion of Chapters in the City Charter
Minutes from the May 18, 2000, meeting were reviewed to see where the commission left off on
discussion of various items. In doing so, the commission learned they are waiting for a proposed
language change from the City Attorney regarding special assessments. In May, the President had
questioned the charter section on Franchises, and the city attorney was to advise if this section is
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overridden by state statutes or not.
Regarding Chapter 6, Section 53 (b), Commissioner Collova stated he wished there could be team
leaders instead of department heads, and that he felt frustrated he could not make such a suggestion
directly to the council. Commissioner Collova was referred to Section 54, Departments of
Administration.
Chapter 6, Section 56, regarding the $3,000 limit for City Managers approval on purchases was
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again discussed. The Recording Secretary passed out Section 4.05 (pages 3-5) of the Procedure
Manual pertaining to Purchasing. Commissioner Collova had requested this information
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previously. This information clearly states when City Manager or City Council approval is needed
for specific purchase amounts. The Recording Secretary also passed out Section 471.345 of
Minnesota State Statutes regarding the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law which was also
requested by Commission Peterson at the May meeting.
It was decided in further reviewing Chapters 8, 9, and 10, it would be important to have the City
Attorney present for his comments. As the City Attorney was not present tonight due to illness,
these items will be postponed for discussion at a future Charter Commission meeting.
Commissioner Landwehr suggested that perhaps the City Manager could be asked for his comments
on areas he feels the charter should be changed and/or invite him to a future meeting. It was agreed
by members present that this should be done.
NEW BUSINESS
Setting Date/Place of Annual Dinner Meeting
Discussion was held on the place for our annual dinner meeting in January. It was the consensus of
the members present to have Commissioner Antzaras contact The Shorewood for dinner meal
pricing. Dates decided upon were either Thursday, January 18, Friday, January 19, Thursday,
January 25, or Friday, January 26. Commissioner Antzaras will contact the Recording Secretary
with the information he obtains on the meals available, costs, and room availability on those dates.
The Recording Secretary will then inform members of the date selected for this event.
The Vice President reminded members that there will be election of officers at our next meeting.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2001, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall.
However, it will depend upon what date is selected for our dinner meeting, based on availability at
The Shorewood.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Clara Schmidt, seconded by Bill Antzaras, to adjourn the meeting at 8 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole J. Blowers
Recording Secretary
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October 19, 2000