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
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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.
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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
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Charter Commission Minutes