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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009April16CharterCommMinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES April 16, 2009 7:00 p.m. City Hall Conference Room 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by President Dan Vogtman at 7:02 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Barbara Gertsema, Roger Johnson, Nancy King (7:05 p.m.), Carolyn Laine (7:05 p.m.), Mike Patiuk (7:47 p.m.), Katherine Francen Pepple, Rachel Schwagel, Joseph Sturdevant, Charles Tyler, Dan Vogtman Members absent and excused: None Members absent and unexcused: Joe Clason Council Liaison, Tami Diehm, was present. City Attorney, Jim Hoeft, and Recording Secretary, Carole Blowers, were present. Approval of minutes of January 15, 2009 Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of January 15, 2009, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Correspondence The Recording Secretary reviewed all the correspondence since January 15, 2009, which included much correspondence between the Chief Judge, new member Charles Tyler, and two members who completed terms on the commission (Bob Buboltz and Lori Ritzko). Status of Membership Charles Tyler was introduced as our newest member. At the current time, the Charter Commission has four vacancies. These vacancies have been advertised on cable TV and will be announced in the next city's newsletter. The Recording Secretary was instructed to send notices to the local papers regarding our vacancies. At this time, all members of the commission briefly introduced themselves. Old Business CONTIN UED REVIEW OF THE CITY CHARTER City Attorney Jim Hoeft continued with review of the City Charter where we left off several months ago (Chapter 7-Taxation and Finance-- of the City Charter). Chapter 7, Section 58, Council to Control Finances With a statutory city, there is no right of referendum. Chapter 7, Section 59, Fiscal Year This section of the charter states the fiscal year ends on the 31st day of December. Chapter 7, Section 60, Taxation Minnesota state statutes govern the taxation laws. April 16, 2009 Page 1 Columbia Heights Charter Commission Chapter 7, Section 61, Board of Equalization The City Attorney briefly talked about the tax on property which is based on the value (whether it's residential, business, recreational, etc.). Property owners can go to the Board of Equalization and appeal the amount, and if not satisfied there, can appeal to the County Board. Chapter 7, Section 62, Preparation of the Budget The City Manager prepares and presents the annual city budget, with assistance from the division heads and the Finance Department. Chapter 7, Section 63, Passa~e of the Budget Per the City Charter, the City Council must hold one public hearing on the budget prior to it being passed by resolution by October lOth. The date is set by state statutes. Chapter 7, Section 64, Enforcement of the Budget The City Manager enforces the budget. Chapter 7, Section 65, Modifications in the Budget In this section, budget modifications are discussed. Fund transfers do occur from time to time, and are approved by a 4/5 vote of the council. Chapter 7, Section 66, Levy and Collection of Taxes The City Treasurer must submit the taxes to the County Auditor. Chapter 7, Section 67, Tax Settlement with County Treasurer The City Treasurer has the responsibility of making sure all county treasury monies belonging to the city are turned over to the city according to law. Chapter 7, Section 68, Payment of Bills, How Made The council must approve payment of bills from the proper funds, per the City Charter. Chapter 7, Section 69, Funds to be Ke~t The city may also levy amounts for debt service, public utilities, general operating costs, and special assessments, to name a few. Chapter 7, Section 70, Receipts to ~o to City Treasurer Receipts must go to the City Treasurer. The City Attorney recommended that the last sentence in this section be removed: "Any person in the employ of the city guilty of a violation of this provision shall be liable to be reduced in rank and salary or to be dismissed from office or position, as the council may determine after a hearing." He explained that this would be a City Manager/Human Resources decision. Chapter 7, Section 71, Accounts and Reports In this section, Accounts and Reports, the City Manager is the Chief Accounting Officer of the city. Generally accepted accounting principles in all accounting obligations must be followed. At our ne~t meeting, we will begin with Chapter 7, Section 72, Bonded Debt and Debt Limit. The Recording Secretary will make sure everyone receives a copy of the comparison chart (chartered city vs. statutory city) which the City Attorney was referencing in his discussions tonight. April 16, 2009 Page 2 Columbia Heights Charter Commission New Business Chan~e of Meetin~ Location Charter Commission members were provided with correspondence received and sent to Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director, regarding the situation of continuing to hold our commission meetings at Murzyn Hall. In summary, we were advised that Thursday evening events at Murzyn Hall would have to end at 7:30 p.m. President Vogtman decided to move our meetings to City Hall, as there are rooms available for us to use without having to change our regular meeting date and/or time. Our meetings will either be held in Conference Room 1 or the Council Chambers at City Hall, depending on which one is available. 2009 Prayer Breakfast Commission members were provided with invitations to the 2009 Prayer Breakfast which will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, beginning at 7 a.m. at Murzyn Hall. President Vogtman asked for further information regarding this event, which the Recording Secretary, Carole Blowers, provided. This is the lOth annual community prayer breakfast this year, and attendance is expected to be about 200 people. Next Meeting Date The ne~t regular Charter Commission meeting date will be July 16, 2009, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Sturdevant, seconded by Commissioner Schwagel, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary to the Charter Commission April 16, 2009 Page 3 Columbia Heights Charter Commission