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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014Jan 16 Charter Comm MinutesMINUTES OF THE CHARTER COMMISSION JANUARY 16, 2014 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by President Steve Smith at 7:02 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Matt Abel, Ramona Anderson, Lee Bak, Jeff Diehm, Roger Jonson, Greg Sloat, Steve Smith, Charles Tyler, Tim Utz, Catherine Vesley, and Wes Wiggins Members absent and excused: Rob Fiorendino, James Guy, Carolyn Laine Members absent and unexcused: Mike Patiuk The City Attorney Jim Hoeft and Recording Secretary Carole Blowers were present. Council Liaison Tami Diehm was absent. Approval of Tonight's Aged Motion was made and seconded to approve tonight's agenda. Approval of Charter Commission Minutes of October 17, 2013 Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of October 17, 2013, as presented. Election of Officers President Smith called for nominations for President. Motion was made and seconded to nominate Steve Smith. President Smith called for any additional nominations; there were none. Motion passed unanimously to elect Steve Smith for President. President Smith called for nominations for Vice President. Motion was made and seconded to nominate Carolyn Laine. President Smith called for any additional nominations. Motion was made and seconded to nominate Tim Utz. Upon vote, Carolyn Laine received four votes for Vice President; Tim Utz received seven votes for Vice President. Tim Utz will be the Vice President, President Smith called for nominations for Secretary. Motion was made and seconded to nominate Matt Abel. President Smith called for any additional nominations; there were none. Motion passed unanimously to elect Matt Abel for Secretary. Correspondence The Recording Secretary read the correspondence log since last meeting. Received minutes of the October meeting from Secretary Matt Abel Advised by the Chief Judge that Matt Abel was reappointed; prepared oath for Matt Abel; sent signed oath to Anoka County • Advised by the Chief Judge that Catherine Vesley was appointed and advised President Smith of the same; prepared oath, welcome letter, and packet; sent signed oath to Anoka County Sent unapproved October minutes to City Clerk for City Council agenda packet in November Advised President Smith of upcoming surgery and dates of absence Page 1 1x16/14 Columbia Heights Charter Commission Contacted President Smith regarding the January agenda; prepared agenda, Annual Report, and sent out with October minutes to all commission members, City Attorney, City Manager, and Council Liaison Tami Diehm Put tonight's agenda on the city's website and on local cable TV station, and posted it at City Hall • Received e -mails from Commissioners Laine, Guy, and Fiorendino regarding their January meeting absence • Received e -mail from Commissioner Utz regarding his 2014 reappointment • Prepared correspondence log since October meeting • Received a citizen request for tonight's meeting "packet" • Received a data request relating to Charter commission documents President Smith welcomed new member Catherine Vesley. Catherine briefly summarized her background and experience, and she stated she has lived in the Heights for the past seventeen years. Old Business - None New Ru�ine�� 2013 Charter Commission Annual Report President Smith asked for a motion to approve the annual report as prepared by the Recording Secretary. Motion was made and seconded to approve the Charter Commission Annual Report for 2013. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Utz asked where does this report go from here, and the Recording Secretary stated that a copy goes to the City Clerk and a copy goes to the Chief Judge. Discuss Differences Between a Charter and Statutory City President Smith stated that he feels it is very important for us to discuss these differences, especially because we have new members and to keep the charter current. The last time we did any changes to the charter involved Section 33 of Chapter 4 regarding elections. Jim Hoeft gave a brief overview of the differences for the members, again citing the biggest difference is in the "Referendum, Initiative, and Recall" section. Because we have updated various parts of the charter in the past few years, he feels we have a pretty comprehensive document at this time. Sometimes legislative changes do mean changes need to be made in the charter. Request for Change of Date for April, 2014, Meeting Commissioner Abel asked the commission if it would be possible to change the April meeting date from the 17 to the 24', due to the fact that the wee of April 14 In is Holy Week. Motion was made and seconded to change the April meeting to April 24t at the same time (7 p.m.) and same place (City Hall). Commissioner Vesley asked for the dates of our meetings for the rest of 2014, which are then April 24, July 17, and October 16, 2014. Adjournment Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary for the Charter Commission Page 2 1/16/14 Columbia Heights Charter Commission