HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 19, 2001, MinutesCHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2001
7 P.M.
GAUVITTE ROOM
JOHN P. MURZYN HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman, Tami Ericson.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Bill Antzaras, John Banyard, Bob Buboltz, Charles Christopherson, Mel
Collova, Tami Ericson, Michael Hartel, Ted Landwehr (7:08 p.m.), Joe
Sturdevant, Theresia Synowczynski
Members absent and excused: Jim Fowler, Janis Larson, Tom Ramsdell, Clara Schmidt,
Members absent and unexcused: Brian Peterson
Also present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Bobby Williams, Council Liaison; and Carole
Blowers, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Synowczynski stated that she read in the minutes that Bobby Williams is our Council
liaison. Based on a council letter dated October 11, 1999, the councilmembers that were serving at
that time signed a letter that there would not being any voting councilmembers on the Charter
Commission or a liaison. She felt clarification from the council is needed on this item. She also stated
that when ordinances were passed that councilmembers could not be voting members on the other city
commissions, there was not an ordinance passed to particularly address the Charter Commission.
After some discussion on this item, commissioners felt it is beneficial to have a council liaison, and
that Councilmember Williams should relay that information to the council as well. He will report back
to the commission at their next meeting.
Commissioner Landwehr stated that his name was omitted from the attendance list as being present.
The minutes will be corrected to reflect that.
Motion by Joe Sturdevant, seconded by Michael Hartel, to approve the minutes of April 19, 2001, as
presented, with the correction of Landwehr’s attendance.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Recording Secretary reported that the only correspondence since our last meeting was the council
letters and proposed ordinances relating to the all changes that were discussed at the last Charter
Commission meeting which was included in the members’ packets.
NEW BUSINESS
Status of Membership of the Commission
The commission has the maximum of fifteen members at this time. Charles Christopherson’s term will
expire in December of 2001.
Discussion on Chapter 3, Section 19, Procedure on Ordinances
A memo was handed out to the Charter Commission members from Tim Johnson, City Planner,
regarding making a change to this section of the charter.
This suggestion is brought up due to a recent situation where one councilmember voted against waiving
the reading of a very lengthly ordinance change. According to the city charter, it requires an
unanimous vote of the council.
City Attorney Hoeft stated that per Minnesota Statutes, copies of proposed ordinances have to be
available to the public at the first and second readings. With the first and second readings taking place
about two weeks apart, the then the ordinance taking effect in 30days, this does give citizens the
opportunity to put together a potential petition for a referendum on the subject. Attorney Hoeft also
stated that due to some recent state changes, referendums pertaining to real estate matters are no longer
covered by the charter.
Discussion ensued, and some members felt that a 4/5 vote to waive the reading would be acceptable,
and some felt that it should be left as is. It was the consensus of the commission to have draft
language put together for the next meeting to look at and discuss, changing the language in the charter
from unanimous to a 4/5 vote.
Other New Business
President Ericson asked the City Attorney if the commission could receive a tangible list of recent
legislative changes and how they have affected certain sections of the charter. For example, the
referendum concerning real estate matters and rezoning.
The City Attorney will find the former charter vs. statutory chart and update it for members.
OLD BUSINESS
Second Reading on Proposed Changes to Chapter 6, Section 56, Purchases and Contracts
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The Charter Commission held its first reading on this chapter/section on April 19. Motion by Ted
Landwehr, seconded by Michael Hartel, to approve the second reading at the Charter Commission
level for changes to Chapter 6, Section 56. Motion passed unanimously. The changes will be sent on
to the City Council for their action/approval. The proposed changes are as follows:
PURCHASES AND CONTRACTS. 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. 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.
Second Reading on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 112, Damage Suits
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The Charter Commission held its first reading on this chapter/section on April 19. Motion by Mel
Collova, seconded by Theresia Synowczynski, to approve the second reading at the Charter
Commission level for changes to Chapter 12, Section 112. Motion passed unanimously. The proposed
change is to delete this section of the charter. The changes will be sent onto the City Council for their
action/approval.
Second Reading on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 114, City to Succeed to Rights and
Obligations of Village
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The Charter Commission held its first reading on this chapter/section on April 19. Motion by Ted
Landwehr, seconded by Theresia Synowczynski, to approve the second reading at the Charter
Commission level for changes to Chapter 12, Section 114. Motion passed unanimously. The proposed
change is to delete this section of the charter. The changes will be sent on to the City Council for their
action/approval.
Second Reading on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 115, Village Officers to Hold Office Till
When
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The Charter Commission held its first reading on this chapter/section on April 19. Motion by Joe
Sturdevent, seconded by Michael Hartel, to approve the second reading at the Charter Commission
level for changes to Chapter 12, Section 115. Motion passed unanimously. The proposed change is to
delete this section of the charter. The changes will be sent on to the City Council for their
action/approval.
Page 2 of 3 Pages
July 19, 2001
Second Reading on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 117, Existing Ordinances Continued
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The Charter Commission held its first reading on this chapter/section on April 19. Motion by Joe
Sturdevant, seconded by Ted Landwehr, to approve the second reading at the Charter Commission
level for changes to Chapter 12, Section 117. Motion passed unanimously. The proposed changes are
to delete this section of the charter. The changes will be sent on to the City Council for their
action/approval.
Other Old Business: None
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, October 18, 2001, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Michael Hartel, seconded by Bob Buboltz to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole J. Blowers
Recording Secretary