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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 18, 2001, MinutesCHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2001 7 P.M. GAUVITTE ROOM JOHN P. MURZYN HALL CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. by President Tami Ericson. ROLL CALL Members present: Bill Antzaras, John Banyard (7:25 p.m.), Tami Ericson, Michael Hartel, Ted Landwehr, Janis Larson, Clara Schmidt, Joe Sturdevant, Theresia Synowczynski Members absent and excused: Bob Buboltz, Charles Christopherson, Mel Collova, Jim Fowler, Tom Ramsdell Also present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary Council Liaison Bobby Williams was not present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Mike Hartel, seconded by Joe Sturdevant, to approve the minutes of July 19, 2001, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE Since our last Charter Commission meeting, the President stated the following correspondence has been received or sent: A letter was received from Commissioner Brian Peterson resigning from the commission because he has moved from Columbia Heights. A letter dated August 21, 2001, was sent to all Charter Commission members from President Erickson updating members on the proposed charter amendments that were forwarded to the City Council and were having their second reading on August 27, 2001. A letter dated August 24, 2001, from Councilmember Nawrocki was sent to all Charter Commission members regarding our proposed amendments and discussion on Chapter 3, Section 19, Procedure on Ordinances. NEW BUSINESS Status of Membership of the Commission With the resignation of Brian Peterson, the commission now has fourteen members. Charles Christopherson's first four year term will expire in December of 2001, and he has expressed to the Recording Secretary that he wishes to be reappointed for another four years. It was suggested that the vacancy created by Brian Peterson's resignation be advertised in the quarterly city newsletter and local channel TV station. Discussion was held on who is the current Chief Judge, and what feedback he/she wants from the Charter Commission on possible new members. The Recording Secretary will verify who the Chief Judge is at this time. Discussion on Holiday Dinner Meeting Places and dates for our holiday dinner meeting for members and a guest were discussed. It was decided to have the dinner meeting at Nicklow's Caf~ in Spring Lake Park. Dates decided upon were either Friday, January 11~' or Saturday, January 12~', 2002. Commissioner Antzaras volunteered to check on meal choices for around $15 per person, and for a total group of 30-35 people maximum. He will advise the Recording Secretary, and information will be sent to all members regarding the dinner. Election of Officers After a brief discussion, motion was made by Joe Sturdevant, seconded by Clara Schmidt, to nominate Tami Ericson as President. As there were no other nominations for President, the question was called. Motion passed unanimously to have Tami Erickson as President. After a brief discussion, motion was made by Bill Antzaras, seconded by Ted Landwehr, to nominate Joe Sturdevant as Vice President. As there were no other nominations for Vice President, the question was called. Motion passed unanimously to have Joe Sturdevant as Vice President. After a brief discussion, motion was made by Theresia Synowczynski, seconded by Joe Sturdevant, to nominate Clara Schmidt as Secretary. As there were no other nominations for Secretary, the question was called. Motion passed unanimously to have Clara Schmidt as Secretary. Therefore, the slate of officers for 2002 are: Tami Ericson President Joe Sturdevant Vice President Clara Schmidt Secretary Discussion on Chapter 3, Section 19, Procedure on Ordinances At the last charter commission meeting, it was the consensus have the City Attorney draft language to look at and discuss, changing the language in this section of the charter from unanimous consent to a 4/5 consent. As the City Attorney was excused from the meeting at 7:15 p.m. due to lack of a quorum at that point and time, this item will have to be tabled. Update on Charter vs. Statutory Cities Chart Mr. Hoeft stated that his clerk is in the process of updating the charter vs. statutory chart that was previously supplied to commission members. The Recording Secretary passed out copies of the current chart to about four members who wanted them. OLD BUSINESS Status of Proposed Changes to Chapter 6, Section 56, Purchases and Contracts Commissioner Synowczynski stated that in light of the fact that the council did not unanimously pass the previously proposed changes to Chapter 6, Section 56, Purchases and Contracts on August 27, 2001, she had some ideas on rewording some of this section, particularly about what constitutes an "emergency". She referred to the situation of police vehicles being damaged in the mid-July shooting incident in the city and needing immediate repair and approval of expenses. She also stated that it was her understanding if an expenditure was charged by an employee that was over $3,000 and it was not previously approved by the City Council, that expenditure could be charged against that employee. It was suggested that the Finance Director could be contacted for clarification on both of these items. Commissioner Landwehr suggested that this item on Purchases and Contracts be put on a ballot for the people to decide. President Ericson reiterated that there were three options at this time regarding Chapter 6, Section 56: · Recommend different language for this section of the charter · Put this item to the vote · Do nothing. Motion was made by Clara Schmidt, seconded by Mike Hartel, to table this issue until the next regular meeting. Motion passed unanimously. At that meeting, Theresia and Ted will present their ideas and reasons for their ideas on this topic. President Ericson will contact Jim Hoeft. The next regular meeting date is January 17, 2002. President Ericson reiterated that all Charter Commission meetings are open to the public, the public doesn't need permission to speak to the Charter Commission, and the public is invited to our meetings. Status on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 112, Damage Suits The proposed changes on this section were unanimously approved on August 27, 2001, and will become effective in 90 days. Page 2 of 3 Pages October 18, 2001 Status on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 114, City to Succeed to Rights and Obligations of Village The proposed changes on this section were unanimously approved on August 27, 2001, and will become effective in 90 days. Status on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 115, Village Officers to Hold Office Till When The proposed changes on this section were unanimously approved on August 27, 2001, and will become effective in 90 days. Status on Proposed Changes to Chapter 12, Section 117, Existing Ordinances Continued The proposed changes on this section were unanimously approved on August 27, 2001, and will become effective in 90 days. The Recording Secretary stated that since these changes become effective the end of November, she will be preparing new pages for the charter for those sections affected by these amendments. NEXT MEETING DATE The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, January 17, 2002, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ted Landwehr, seconded by Bill Antzaras to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3 Pages