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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 20, 2006, Charter Minutes OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHARTER COMMISSION THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 7:00 P.M. GAUVITTE ROOM MURZYN HALL Call to Order The meeting was called to order by President Mike Hartel at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Bob Buboltz, Barb Gertsema, Mike Hartel, Jim Johnson, Nancy King, Katy Korday, Scott Kyseth, Carolyn Laine (7:04 p.m.), Mike Patiuk, Joe Sturdevant, Joseph Sturdevant Members absent and unexcused: Lori Ritzko Members absent and excused: Nicole Druckrey, Dan V ogtman The Charter Commission has fourteen members and one vacancy at this time. Council Liaison, Tami-Ericson Diehm Also present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary Approval of Minutes of April 20 and April 26, 2006: Motion by Commissioner Sturdevant, seconded by Commissioner Korday to approve the minutes of April 20 and April 26, 2006. Motion passed unanimously. Old Business Discussion on Districts/W ards President Hartel stated that at the council meeting of June 26, the City Council held their second reading of our proposed ordinance on wards and adding two additional councilmembers. The City Council did not pass our proposal, so therefore tonight the Charter Commission will need to decide if they wish to put this item on the ballot in November or not. President Hartel also stated that he was unable to attend the meeting of June 26, as he was unavoidably delayed in getting to the meeting that evening and apologized for his absence. He thanked the commission members who were present at the city council meeting that evening. Commissioner Johnson stated he was concerned about the two additional council members and could we remove that part from the proposed amendment? President Hartel stated we went through two work sessions and two council meetings on this issue. He stated that this part of the proposed amendment (adding two councilmembers) is not the right thing for us to do. He further explained that expanding city government at this time is not appropriate when the city is expecting a shortfall of over $337,000 in LGA funds next year. Adding two additional councilmembers would cost approximately $32,000, and he feels this would not be fiscally responsible at this time. The ward system is fine on its own, but not adding two additional councilmembers. Commissioner Sturdevant stated that the city could come up with the additional $30,000 for two more Charter Commission July 20, 2006 Page 1 councilmembers. He stated when he was Mayor, citizens liked coming in to his office, as he was there every day. Citizens like to go to a particular person, especially some in your own area. With adding two councilmembers at large, there could be four out of seven from the same ward. Commissioner King stated that you can call any councilmember now if you have a problem or question. President Hartel stated the ward system is a good option, but not adding two additional councilmembers. Commissioner Laine stated that expanding government may not necessarily mean adding councilmembers. Commissioner Korday asked President Hartel why he thought it was a good idea to implement the ward system and add two councilmembers when this issue was discussed in previous meetings? He reaffirmed his thoughts on the ward system and adding more councilmembers. There was interest in what citizen comments have been received on this issue. President Hartel stated he had received about six phone calls, with mixed comments. Commissioner Sturdevant stated he received a couple of calls stating they were for it. JoAnne Student has expressed her support of this issue. Commissioner Buboltz stated that this commission has spent a lot of time discussing and presenting this issue to the city council and the public already. He thought the commission should put it on the ballot and wait and see what happens. Wording for the ballot question was discussed. City Attorney, Jim Hoeft, stated that the ballot wording would be approved by the City Council in time for the ballot. He stated that the City Manager has directed him to work with the City Clerk, Bill Elrite, on the wording. The City Attorney and City Clerk will be working on the first draft of the ballot language next week if the commission votes to put it on the ballot in November. The draft will be provided to the City Council and Charter Commission members for review as a work session item in the near future. Charter Commission members would be invited to attend the work session. The language for the ballot must pose a question to which can be answered either yes or no. The language must be approved in the timeframe needed by the county. The City Attorney stated that the county is asking for the ballot language earlier than the deadline stated by law. President Hartel stated that a sub-committee should be formed to disseminate information on this issue. It should present a fair and balanced look at the proposed changes (pros/cons). There should be a cable presentation of the issue, having one person for it and one person against it. He also stated it would be appropriate to have a separate mailing (not in with the water bills) to residents about this issue. Commissioners wanted to know how much money do we have to spend on disseminating the information. We have $1,600 to spend. Councilmember Ericson stated that the city council may decide to find additional monies for us. Motion by Commissioner Korday, seconded by Commissioner Buboltz to put the proposed charter amendment about wards and adding two additional councilmembers at large on the ballot in November of 2006. Ayes: 10; Nays: 1; Abstain: 0, Absent: 3 Motion passed. Charter Commission July 20, 2006 Page 2 Commissioner Sturdevant asked about lawn signs like the school board used recently. President Hartel stated that a citizen group could be formed separately from the Charter Commission. Lawn signs could be put out as long as they are not in violation of the city's sign ordinances. Article for City Newsletter on Ballot Question President Hartel stated that since the Charter Commission has now voted on putting this item on the ballot, we need to have an article in the fall city newsletter. President Hartel stated that a draft of an article for the fall city newsletter was put together and included in the packet for tonight's meeting. The Recording Secretary advised the commission of the deadline we have--we must have this article ready to go to her tomorrow (July 21). Motion by Commissioner Sturdevant, seconded by Commissioner Korday, to accept the article for the city newsletter as presented. The Recording Secretary will forward it to Deanna in Recreation tomorrow morning for inclusion in the fall city newsletter. Creation of a Sub-Committee to Disseminate Information on Wards President Hartel asked members if anyone would like to volunteer on being on a sub-committee responsible for disseminating information to the citizens on the ballot question. The following members volunteered: Jim Johnson, Joe Sturdevant, Katy Korday, Bob Buboltz, and Mike Patiuk. Katy will be the chair of this sub-committee. The Recording Secretary advised the sub-committee members that if they wish to meet during the day or evening at City Hall or Murzyn Hall, she can arrange a room. Minutes should be taken at these meetings for the record. Correspondence The Recording Secretary stated that numerous council letters and attachments were prepared for the work session of May 18th, and for council meetings on May 22, June 12, and June 26 regarding our proposed ordinance. The Recording Secretary stated that she tried to report to commission members the results of each work session or council meeting. The notice of Public hearing was prepared and published as per state statutes regarding proposed charter changes. The Public hearing information was also put on cable. Commissioners V ogtman and Druckrey advised the Recording Secretary they would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. Tonight's agenda materials, including the newsletter item, was prepared and mailed last week. Next Meeting Date The next regular meeting of the Charter Commission will be Thursday, October 19, 2006, at 7 p.m. in the Gauvitte Room at Murzyn Hall. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Buboltz, seconded by Commissioner Laine to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole 1. Blowers, Recording Secretary Charter Commission July 20, 2006 Page 3