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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 19, 2001, Minutes COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 19, 2001 GAUVITTE ROOM, MURZYN HALL 7 P.M. CALL TO ORDER President Tami Ericson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Bill Antzaras, John Banyard, Bob Buboltz, Charles Christopherson, Mel Collova, Tami Ericson, Mike Hartel, Ted Landwehr, Janis Larson, Brian Peterson (7:35 p.m.), Tom Ramsdell, Joe Sturdevant, Clara Schmidt Members absent and excused: Jim Fowler, Theresia Synowczynski Members absent and unexcused: None Also present: Bruce Nawrocki, Councilmember; Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS New members John Banyard and Bob Buboltz introduced themselves to the commission and briefly stated their interest in serving on this commission. President Ericson welcomed them to the Charter Commission. COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM COUNCILMEMBER NAWROCKI Councilmember Nawrocki stated that he received the letter from President Ericson asking the Mayor and Council to attend a joint meeting with the Charter Commission and also asking for any suggestions to changes needed in the charter. Councilmember Nawrocki stated his personal recommendations include the following: Chapter 3, Sections 18, 19, and 20: Nawrocki would like to see first and second readings of all ordinances and a public hearing with publication of the ordinances in the newspaper prior to the first and second readings. He felt the first reading was to get the item on the table. The second reading was to be a public hearing to consider adoption of the ordinance. It was briefly discussed that the cost of publication of these ordinances would be a consideration, but a small cost to pay for openness in government. Nawrocki would also like to see any changes to the City Manager’s salary done by ordinance. At one time, Chapter 2 stated all changes to the Mayor, Council, and City Manager’s salary would be done by ordinance. Somewhere along the line, this process was changed. He would like to see it returned to the way it was before. Nawrocki inquired if in Chapter 2, Section 15 (page 4) of the city charter if the word “security” is correct or a typographical error. The Recording Secretary will check into that. Nawrocki commented it was a good idea to have a joint meeting to encourage communication between the council and the commission. He complimented the good attendance of the Charter April 19, 2001 Page 1 Charter Commission Minutes Commission members at tonight’s meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Tom Ramsdell, seconded by Bill Antzaras, to approve the minutes of January 18, 2001, and the minutes of January 25, 2001, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE President Ericson stated that: · the Mayor and Councilmembers and City Manager received a letter dated March 26, 2001, inviting them to attend a joint meeting with the Charter Commission and to also provide any suggestions for charter consideration. She stated there has been no response from the Mayor, Councilmembers, or the City Manager until Councilmember Nawrocki appeared tonight to speak. · the Chief Judge has appointed two new members, and so the membership is full at fifteen. The oaths have been forwarded to the Chief Judge. · members of the Charter Commission are invited to attend the second annual Mayor’s Prayer th Breakfast, which will be held at Murzyn Hall on May 15 at 7 a.m. An informational flyer was provided each member, which included ticket information/prices. · members of the commission were provided copies of new membership lists. Councilmember Bobby Williams is the new Charter Commission liaison. · The Columbia Heights Charter Commission Annual report for 2000 was forwarded on to the Chief Judge and City Clerk. OLD BUSINESS The City Attorney discussed possible different language for Chapter 8, Section 77 (Special Assessments), Chapter 10, Sections 93-101 (Franchises), Chapter 9, Sections 87-92 (Eminent Domain), Chapter 11 (Public Ownership/Operation of Utilities). Previous discussions at the commission level indicated it was to be reflected that state statutes govern these sections. The City Attorney felt that this was reflected in Section 2 of the charter already. The City Attorney also discussed possible different language for Chapter 12, Section 112 (Damage Suits) and Chapter 12, Section 114 (City to Succeed Rights/Obligations of Village). His recommendation was to delete these entire chapters/sections. Discussion on Chapter 6, Section 56 (Purchases and Contracts) was held. The City Attorney stated that to his recollection, the commission wanted to increase the amount from $3,000 to $5,000. He asked the commission if that was a correct recollection. Members stated they wanted the amount to be at the discretion of the City council. Many members felt $3,000 was not enough. Members tried to a get a feel for what amount other cities use and learned it varies from city to city. April 19, 2001 Page 2 Charter Commission Minutes Discussion also covered the fact that if and when this section is amended, it should clarify that contracts for regardless of the amount of the transaction conveyance of any real estate by the city, , must be signed by the Mayor and City Manager on behalf of the City. The City Attorney reviewed for the commission the ways in which a change can be made to the charter, whether it is initiated from the Charter Commission or the City Council. After considerable discussion, motion was made by Mel Collova, seconded by Janis Larson, to change Chapter 6, Section 56, Purchases and Contracts to read as follows: The city manager shall be chief purchasing agent of the City. All purchases and contracts on behalf of the City shall be made by the City Manager, but subject to the approval of the City Council whenever the amounts of such purchases or contracts exceeds $3,000.00. Said amount may be amended by a simple majority of the Council by resolution. All contracts of any kind to which the city is a party exceeding $3,000.00 and instruments for the conveyance of any real estate by the city shall be signed by the Mayor and the City Manager on behalf of the City and shall be executed in the name of the city. Motion passed unanimously. Proposed changes are to be sent on to the City Council for their consideration and approval after proper approval steps at the Charter Commission level are completed. After further discussion, motion was made by Clara Schmidt, seconded by Tom Ramsdell, to delete Chapter 12, Section 112 (Damage Suits) and Chapter 12, Sections 114, 115, and 117 (City to Succeed Rights/Obligations of Village). Motion passed unanimously. Proposed changes are to be sent on to the City Council for their consideration and approval after proper approval steps at the Charter Commission level are completed. Ted Landwehr stated that the commission is still not addressing the concern of what exactly the state statutes read regarding certain sections of our charter. The City Attorney stated that an attempt at public awareness is good, but the sections of the charter that are affected by state statutes changes from time to time. The comparison of statutory vs. charter done by each chapter/section was done approximately six years ago and should be updated. NEXT MEETING DATE The next regular meeting of the Charter Commission will be Thursday, July 19, 2001, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mike Hartel, seconded by Joe Sturdevant, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary April 19, 2001 Page 3 Charter Commission Minutes