HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014July 17 Charter Comm MinutesMINUTES OF THE CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014
7:30 P.M.
CITY HALL
CONFERENCE ROOM 1
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Steve Smith.
Roll Call/Status of Membership
Members present: Matt Abel, Ramona Anderson, Lee Bak, Jeff Diehm, Rob Fiorendino, Roger Johnson,
Carolyn Laine, Mike Patiuk, Greg Sloat, Steve Smith, Charles Tyler, Tim Utz, Catherine Vesley
Members absent and excused: James Guy, Wes Wiggins
Members unexcused: None
Council Liaison Tami Diehm and Recording Secretary Carole Blowers were not present.
Guest: Judy Moneta
Approval of Tonight's Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Tyler, seconded by Commissioner Diehm, to approve tonight's agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
Approve Charter Commission Minutes of April 24, 2014
Motion by Commissioner Fiorendino, seconded by Commissioner Diehm, to approve the April 24, 2014,
minutes as presented.
Correspondence Since Last Meeting
The Recording Secretary prepared the correspondence report since our last meeting, and in her absence, it
was read by Secretary Abel.
• On April 29th, an application for Charter Commission membership was received and forwarded to the
Chief Judge.
• On June 9th, an e -mail was received from a member asking me to forward an e -mail to all charter
commission members to attend the City Council meeting of June 9th to voice their opinion on the agenda
item regarding the library. I forwarded this request to President Steve Smith for his response to this
member.
• On June 25th, a member requested an e -mail copy of the most current City Charter.
• On July 6th, received e -mail from President Smith about our upcoming meeting conflicting with
community picnic on July 17th. It was decided to start our meeting a half hour later than usual, at 7:30
p.m. on this date.
• On July 9th, prepared July 17 agenda and sent to all commission members along with minutes from April
24, 2014. Special note was made on the agenda that the time will be 7:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. due to
the community picnic that evening.
Communications were received from Commissioner Wiggins and Guy that they would not be able to
attend tonight's meeting.
Old Business - None
New Business
Commissioner Utz thanked City Attorney Jim Hoeft for the help he provided to the people trying to
organize a petition drive for a referendum on the new library construction.
President Smith asked the commission body if they felt the charter was working as it should. Commis-
sioner Utz replied that there might be some recommendations coming from the public on some charter
changes. General consensus was that the charter seems to be working well.
The City Attorney, Jim Hoeft, outlined his role in helping citizens with referendum issues and explained
how time and dates are determined for when petitions need to be submitted.
Commissioner Vesley asked about how signatures are verified, and Hoeft explained the common ways
that cities do so.
Commissioner Diehm asked if stated procedures were charter requirements or state law. Jim Hoeft
replied that we are governed by our Charter.
President Smith requested that Carole Blowers place the next meeting time on the agenda.
Next Meeting Date — October 16, 2014
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Fiorendino, seconded by Commissioner Tyler, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Matt Abel
Secretary for the Charter Commission