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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009Jan15CharterCommMinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES January 15, 2009 7:00 p.m. Gauvitte Room Murzyn Hall Call to Order The meeting was called to order by President Joe Sturdevant at 7:12 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Bob Buboltz, Barbara Gertsema, Roger Johnson, Carolyn Laine, Mike Patiuk, Rachel Schwagel, Joseph Sturdevant, Dan Vogtman Members absent and excused: Joe Clason, Katherine Francen, Katy Korday, Lori Ritzko Members absent and unexcused: Nancy King Council Liaison, Tami Diehm, was not present and was excused. City Attorney, Jim Hoeft, and Recording Secretary, Carole Blowers, were present. Approval of minutes of October 16, 2008 Motion by Commissioner Buboltz, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the minutes of October 16, 2008, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Election of Officers for 2009 President Sturdevant asked for volunteers or nominations for President. Dan Vogtman expressed interest in being President. Members were asked three times for additional nominations. There being none, members elected Dan Vogtman as President. President Sturdevant asked for volunteers or nominations for Vice President. Rachel Schwagel expressed interest in being Vice President. Members were asked three times for additional nominations. There being none, members elected Rachel Schwagel as Vice President. President Sturdevant asked for volunteers or nominations for Secretary. Mike Patiuk expressed interest in being Secretary. Members were asked three times for additional nominations. There being none, Mike Patiuk was elected Secretary. Correspondence Members were provided updated new full copies of the City Charter at tonight's meeting. Status of Membership As of the end of 2008, the commission had two vacancies. Bob Buboltz will finish his second 4-year term this month. He will be recognized at the city council meeting of January 26, 2009. This will create another vacancy on the commission. Lori Ritzko's first term ends this month. Since she is absent tonight, the Recording Secretary will contact her regarding her wishes to be reappointed to another 4 year term or not. Carolyn Laine's first term will end in March, and she would like to be reappointed. The Recording Secretary will advise the Chief Judge of this. January 15, 2009 Page 1 Columbia Heights Charter Commission The Recording Secretary will contact Nancy King regarding her status after she checks Nancy's appointment order from the Chief Judge. Nancy completed one 4 year term plus part of another 4 year term. Katy Korday has notified the Recording Secretary that she will be resigning. There were no suggested changes to e-mails or addresses to the membership list provided to members in their packets for tonight's meeting. Old Business Continued Review of the Citv Charter City Attorney Jim Hoeft continued with review of the City Charter where we left off several months ago (Chapter 6 of the City Charter). Chapter 6, Section 53: Duties of the City Manager Jim Hoeft explained that the City Manager oversees all the departments here at Columbia Heights, except the Police Department. It is a bit unusual, but that's how it's been done for years. This issue has been voted on a couple of times in the past 15 years, but putting the supervision of the Police Department to the City Manager instead of with the Mayor has been voted down both times. Hoeft explained that Mayor Peterson was very involved in the decision of hiring a new Police Chief this year. He noted in a statutory city, the City Manager oversees all departments (including the Police Department). Chapter 6, Section 54: Department of Administration This section provides for a city code, which we have. Hoeft noted there are no material differences between a charter vs. statutory city in this section. Chapter 6, Section SS: Subordinate Offices The way this section reads currently puts us in line with state statutes. Hoeft noted the only difference between what's in our city charter and a statutory city is a statutory city requires a simple majority. Chapter 6, Section 56: Purchases and Contracts Hoeft noted in a statutory city, the amount is $1,500. This amount was changed in our city charter by vote of our city council. The city council can change this amount any time by resolution. Chapter 6, Section 57: Contracts Hoeft explained that to a certain dollar amount, the city must take bids, let bids, and accept the lowest responsible bid. Hoeft explained that the city has no perpetual contracts, but can have automatic renewal clauses in them. Ongoing contracts, such as for lawn cutting, abatements, tree trimming, and miscellaneous concrete are reviewed every couple of years. Under state statutes, the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law is followed. At the April meeting, discussion will continue with Chapter 7 of the City Charter. New Business Approval of 2008 Annual Report Approval of the 2008 Charter Commission Annual Report. Motion by Dan Vogtman, seconded by Carolyn Laine to approve the annual report as submitted, with the correction of Lori Ritzko's name as Vice President for 2008. January 15, 2009 Page 2 Columbia Heights Charter Commission Discussion of Local Government Aid Reductions to the Citv of Columbia President Sturdevant asked the City Attorney to briefly talk about the local government aid (LGA) cuts the city is going to experience, and how it is going to affect the city, its employees, and services. The Governor unalloted over $300,000 to our city in December, which was actually already spent by the city. Fortunately, the city underspent their 2008 budget, so this was not a problem for 2008. However, in 2009, $700,000 to approximately $1,000,000 in cuts are anticipated for our city. The city is suggesting that all employees take an 80 hour furlough of unpaid leave, and that there may be 9-10 people laid off. Next Meeting Date The ne~t regular Charter Commission meeting date will be April 16, 2009, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Buboltz, seconded by Commissioner Schwagel, to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary to the Charter Commission January 15, 2009 Page 3 Columbia Heights Charter Commission