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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 25, 2002, MinutesCHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 7 P.M. GAUVITTE ROOM JOHN P. MURZYN HALL CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by President Tami Ericson. ROLL CALL Members present: Bill Antzaras, John Banyard, Bob Buboltz, Charles Christopherson, Mel Collova, Tami Ericson, Jim Fowler, Michael Hartel, Ted Landwehr, Tom Ramsdell, Joe Sturdevant, Members absent and excused: Janis Larson, Theresia Synowczynski Members absent and unexcused: Clara Schmidt Also present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary; Council Liaison Bobby Williams; Councilmember Bruce Nawrocki, resident Harold Hoium. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Mike Hartel, seconded by Ted Landwehr, to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2002, meeting with the correction to reflect the correct spelling of the word "awkward" on page 2. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Banyard asked for handout information from the last meeting be sent to him. CORRESPONDENCE President Ericson stated she had received a phone call from a resident who expressed concern about how a vacancy on the City Council is filled. This resident wanted an election, not an appointment. No further information was received by the President from this resident on this item. The Recording Secretary had nothing to report. OLD BUSINESS Discussion was held on how the pros and cons would be provided to the public on each the referendum issues before the election. The following avenues were discussed: cable TV, flyers, inserts in water bills, information in the city newsletter, and information at the library and counters throughout the various city departments, a possible mailing to residents, holding a public forum in the late summer, providing information to reporters from the Northeaster and The Focus, and our city's website. It was also stated that Jean Kuehn, Special Projects Coordinator, does a monthly calendar show and perhaps it would be a great way for the President of the commission to provide the pros and cons of the proposed changes to the public. Commissioners all felt that we should get as many opportunities out there to the public as possible about these proposed changes. Jim Hoeft, City Attorney, stated that City Clerk, Bill Elrite, and he need to meet with the Anoka County Election Office about how the wording will be on the ballot for these referendum issues. He stated that since two sections of the charter are affected by the proposed change to the Powers of the Mayor and City Manager, they need to work out with the county how that can be combined, as it is really one issue. Jim also stated there will be an additional charge to the city because of the length of the wording on the ballot. Jim Hoeft stated that both the old and new language must be on the ballot. State Statutes authorize the Charter Commission to place these items on the ballot. It was questioned if the commission could and should have flyers at the voting places at the primary. It was the general consensus that this would not be appropriate. Members positively concurred that perhaps a brief item could be included in the water bills, alerting citizens to the fact that there will be some referendum items on the ballot this fall and to look for further information. Discussion was held on sending out a mailing to residents. It was estimated that such a mailing would probably cost around $2-3,000 to send out to 6-7,000 residents (with printing and envelopes). Councilmember Nawrocki stated that he supported a mailing that cited both the pros and cons. Another suggestion was to add a one-page insert to the Focus paper at possibly a $1,000 cost. It was questioned who would cover the cost of printing sheets. Some members did not feel a separate mailing would be useful, but felt we should prepare something for the water bills informing citizens that Charter issues will be going to be coming before them on the ballot. Councilmember Nawrocki suggested that Councilmember Williams make a recommendation to the City Council that citizens be notified (perhaps two times) via the water bills that these Charter issues will be on the ballot this fall, that articles should appear in the city newsletter, and a separate mailing to property owners should be done. Discussion was held on what we could have for handouts at the City Open House. It was felt that maybe an introductory statement listing a contact name/phone number for questions would be appropriate, and different colors of paper should be used for each section being revised that would show the current and proposed wording. Councilmember Nawrocki asked for clarification that these referendum items would be on the general election, not the primary election. President Ericson asked who would like to become members of a sub-committee who would work on the pros and cons of each referendum item. Mike Hartel, Ted Landwehr, Joe Sturdevant, Tami Ericson, and Bruce Nawrocki volunteered to serve on this sub-committee. Ted Landwehr was asked if he could start working on some pros and cons for a meeting possibly in May. (Please note: Commissioner Clara Schmidt was absent at tonight's meeting. She volunteered for this sub-committee also when she was informed about it after this meeting.) NEW BUSINESS Status of Membership of the Commission With the resignation of Brian Peterson, the commission still has fourteen members. This opening has been advertised on the city's website. To date, there have been applications sent to the Chief Judge, and the judge has not acted on an appointment or returned phone calls to the President. Creation of E-Mail Address List for Charter Commission Members President Ericson asked members to sign a sheet that was circulated to indicate their e-mail addresses if they wished to share that information. She informed members that e-mail was not going to be a substitute for the regular mailing of agendas and minutes, but rather a quick way to send messages who have e-mail. City Open House The City Open House will be May 22, 2002, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Recording Secretary had prepared a draft one-page article about the Charter Commission for members' review. Copies of this article will be made and available at the open house. As stated above, there will also be copies of each charter amendment (with current reading and proposed reading) for the public to have. It was decided that a pros/cons sheet for each amendment would not be available by the time of the Open House. Page 2 of 4 Pages 4-25-02 A sheet was sent around to all members to sign up for being at the Open House in one-hour shifts, beginning at 4 p.m. Commissioners Ramsdell and Ericson signed up to be there from 4-5 p.m.; Commissioners Hartel and Buboltz signed up to be there from 5-6 p.m.; and Commissioners Sturdevant, Christopherson, Landwehr, and Fowler signed up to be there from 6-7 p.m. Third Annual Prayer Breakfast President Ericson reminded members that everyone received invitations in their packets to attend the third annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, which will be May 15, 2002, at 7 a.m. at Murzyn Hall. Commissioner Fowler left the meeting at approximately 8:30 p.m. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS After further review of some sections of the Charter, Councilmember Nawrocki advised the commission that Chapter 6, Section 53 also referred to the duties of the City Manager/Mayor but is not included as a referendum issue by the Charter Commission. In further reviewing the chapters pertaining to duties of the City Manager and Mayor, some commission members felt that no changes should be made to Chapter 2, Section 11, but that a change should be made to Chapter 6, Section 53. Councilmember Williams should explain to the council the reasoning for this action. There was considerable discussion by members if changes should be made to Chapter 2, Section 11 AND Chapter 6, Section 53, keeping in mind the time left before elections. Motion was made by Mel Collova, seconded by Tom Ramsdell, to make the following suggested change to Chapter 6, Section 53, Powers and Duties of the City Manager, and to consider this our first reading: Section 53. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER. Subject to the provisions of this charter and any regulations consistent therewith which may be adopted by council, the city manager shall control and direct the administration of the city's affairs,,.,.,~,.~,~'~ .... · ~,~.,,,~ ~,,~.,,. city m~ager's powers ~d duties shall be: (a) To see that this charter ~d the laws, ordin~ces ~d resolutions of the city are enforced; (b) To appoint ~d, except as herein provided, remove the city clerk, all heads of departments, ~d all subordinate officers ~d employees in the dep~ments, ~1 appointments to be upon merit ~d fitness alone; (c) To exercise control over all departments ~d divisions of the city administration created by this charter or which may be hereafter created by the council ..... (d) To attend all meetings of the council, with the right to t~e part in the discussions but having no vote; but the council may at its discretion exclude the ciW m~ager from meetings at which the city m~ager's removal is considered; (e) To recommend to the council for adoption such measures as the city m~ager may deem necessa~ for the welfare of the people ~d the efficient administration of the ciW's aff~rs; (~ To keep the council fully advised as to the fin~cial condition ~d needs of the city, ~d to prepare ~d to submit to the council the ~nual budget; (g) To prepare ~d to submit to the council for adoption ~ administrative code inco~orating the details of administrative procedure, ~d from time to time to suggest mendments to the sine; ~d (h) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter or required of the city m~ager by ordin~ces or resolutions adopted by the council. Motion passed: 9 yes, 1 no, 0 abstaining. Page 3 of 4 Pages 4-25-02 It was then discussed if a special Charter Commission meeting should be set in May. It was decided to hold a special meeting on May 23rd at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. The commission will hold its second reading on this proposed change For Chapter 6, Section 53, at that special meeting on May 23rd. NEXT MEETING DATE A special Charter Commission meeting was set for Thursday, May 23rd, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, July 18, 2002, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ted Landwehr, seconded by Charles Christopherson to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary Page 4 of 4 Pages