HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-2017Meeting of the Charter Commission
January 19, 2017
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Conference Room 1
1. Call to Order
1A. Introduction of Council Liaison Connie Buesgens
1B. Oath of Office — Rob Fiorendino
2. Roll Call /Status of Membership
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval Minutes of October 20, 2016
5. Correspondence
6. Old Business
7. New Business
A. Review of Charter Chapter 2, Section 9, Vacancies on the Council.
B. Next Meeting Date: April 20, 2017 at 7:00 P.M., City Hall Conference Room 1
8. Adjournment
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with
disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are
available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Clerk at 763 - 706 -3611 to
make arrangements. (TDD /763- 706 -3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only.)
* A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL MAY BE PRESENT
Mayor
COLUMBIA
Donna Schmitt
Robert A. Will ams
John Murzyn, Jr.
City of Columbia Heights
Connie Buesgens
59040`" Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 -3878 (763) 706 -3600 TDD (763) 706 -3692
City Manager
Visit our website at: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov
Walter R. Fehst
Meeting of the Charter Commission
January 19, 2017
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Conference Room 1
1. Call to Order
1A. Introduction of Council Liaison Connie Buesgens
1B. Oath of Office — Rob Fiorendino
2. Roll Call /Status of Membership
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval Minutes of October 20, 2016
5. Correspondence
6. Old Business
7. New Business
A. Review of Charter Chapter 2, Section 9, Vacancies on the Council.
B. Next Meeting Date: April 20, 2017 at 7:00 P.M., City Hall Conference Room 1
8. Adjournment
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with
disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are
available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Clerk at 763 - 706 -3611 to
make arrangements. (TDD /763- 706 -3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only.)
* A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL MAY BE PRESENT
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CHARTER COMMISSION
October 20, 2016
7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL - CONFERENCE ROOM 1
Call to Order
President Steve Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call /Status of Membership
Members present: Roger Johnson, Steve Smith, Tim
Carolyn Laine and Susan Wiseman
Members absent (excused): Jeffrey Diehm, Eric Pennisto
Members absent (unexcused): Ramona Anderson, Rob F
Also in attendance: Council Liaison Bruce Nawrocki, City
Mike Patiuk, Frost Simula,
James
ing SecretaryiCatie Bruno
approve =the agenda.
prove the minutes from the July 21,
Correspondence
Recording Secretary Bruno indicated she received an email message from Commissioner Simula regarding
eligibility requirements for candidates running for the office of City Council or Mayor.
President Smith indicated he spoke with City Attorney Hoeft, and being that the Charter is silent regarding
candidate eligibility requirements, we would refer to State Statutes. A copy of statute 204B.06 was
distributed. Smith indicated that the charter does address the process for filling a vacancy on the council.
President Smith stated the charter could be amended to include language that would reference State
Statute 204B.06, although it would not be necessary. The commission discussed residency requirements.
Commissioner Laine explained some of the state's guidelines for determining residency. President Smith
suggested for the City's purposes; no changes are recommended.
Old Business
6. Old Business
A. Update regarding clarification of language Chapter 3, sections 19 -20; Procedure on Ordinances.
President Smith reported that The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1633 on September 12, 2016,
and the appropriate changes have been made to the Charter.
7. New Business
Commissioner Simula reported the Charter Commission page on the city's website needs updating.
Next Meeting Date: January 19, 2017 at 7:00 P.M., City Hall Conference Room 1
President Smith thanked Councilmember Nawrocki for his many years of service to the City.
8. Adjournment
Motion by Abel, seconded by Simula to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm.
Respectively Submitted,
Katie Brunc
City Clerk /F
CHAPTER 2
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Section 6. FORM OF GOVERNMENT. The form of government established by this
charter shall be known as the "Council- Manager Plan."
Section 7. ELECTIVE OFFICES. The council shall be composed of a mayor and four
council members who shall be qualified electors, and who shall be elected at large in the manner
hereinafter provided. The four council members shall serve for a term of four years and until their
successors are elected and qualified. The Mayor shall serve for a term of two years and until a
successor is elected and qualified. The council shall be judge of the election of the mayor and
council members. (Ordinance No. 1466, passed December 15, 2003) (Ordinance No. 1300,
passed April 10, 1995)
Section 8. INCOMPATIBLE OFFICES. No member of the council shall hold any paid
municipal office or employment under the City of Columbia Heights, and until one year after the
expiration of that member's term as council member no former member shall be appointed to any
paid office or employment under the city which office or employment was created or the
emoluments of which were increased during that member's term. (Ordinance No. 1086, passed
June 11, 1984)
Section 9. VACANCIES IN THE COUNCIL. A vacancy in the council shall be deemed to
exist in case of the failure of any person elected thereto to qualify on or before the date of the second
regular meeting of the new council, or by reason of the death, resignation, removal from office,
cessation as a resident of the city, continuous absence from the city for more than three months,
conviction of a felony of any such person whether before or after qualification, the failure of any
council member without good cause to perform any of the duties of membership in the council for a
period of three months or for any other cause as may be provided for in Minnesota Statutes, as
amended. In each such case, at the next regular meeting following receipt of notice by the council of
one of the foregoing conditions, the council shall by resolution declare such vacancy to exist unless
further investigation is required. Notice of said vacancy shall be posted at city hall for a period of
two (2) weeks from the date of the adoption of the resolution declaring said vacancy. Notice shall
also be published in a designated city newspaper for a period of two (2) weeks as soon as possible
after the date of the adoption of said resolution, with the publication being completed no later than
thirty (30) days from said date. Applications shall be sought and accepted from individuals
interested in filling the vacancy, which applications shall be submitted to city hall, to the attention of
the City Clerk, within 45 days from the date of said resolution. The council shall interview each of
the applicants within 30 days from the close of the application period, and shall conduct said
interviews in an agreed upon uniform manner as a council. After said 30 day period, the council
shall make its appointment from the pool of applicants within 15 days, whether done so at a regular
council meeting or a special meeting. The individuals so appointed shall fill said vacancy until the
next regular municipal election, when the office shall be filled for the unexpired term by an eligible
person elected at large in the manner hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that if a vacancy is
declared by resolution after March 31 st in the year of a regular municipal election, then the
appointment process as set forth herein shall not take effect and any such vacancy shall continue to
exist until said election, at which time the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by an
eligible person elected at large in the manner hereinafter provided. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, any vacancy resulting from a recall election or from a resignation following the
filing of a recall petition shall be filled in the manner provided in such case. (Ordinance No. 1331,
passed September 23, 1996) (Ordinance No. 1086, passed June 11, 1984)
Section 10. THE MAYOR. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council, and
shall exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this
charter, the ordinances of the city, and the laws of the state. A president pro tempore shall be chosen
who shall serve as president in the mayor's absence, and who shall, in the mayor's absence, exercise
all powers and perform all duties conferred and imposed upon the mayor by this charter, the
ordinances of the city and the laws of the state. In the absence of both the mayor and the president
pro tempore, the council member with the most seniority (as determined by consecutive
uninterrupted years of service to date) shall exercise and perform said powers and duties. The mayor
shall have the appointment, control, and direction of all police officers of the city, and shall be
recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purpose
of serving civil processes, and by the governor for the purposes of the military law. In the event of a
vacancy in the office of mayor, whether by death, resignation, or any other cause, the council shall
order a special election to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term except in the case of a recall, the
vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by this charter. (Ordinance No. 1389, passed April
26, 1999) (Ordinance No. 1086, passed June 11, 1984)
Section 10A. (Deleted per Ordinance No. 1584, passed August 23, 2010)
Section 11. THE CITY MANAGER. The city manager shall be the chief administrative
officer of the city. The city manager shall be chosen by the council solely on the basis of executive
and administrative qualifications and the choice shall not be limited to inhabitants of the city or state.
The city manager shall be appointed for an indefinite period and shall be removable by the council
at any time. If removed at any time after one year of service, such person may demand written
charges. Such demand shall be in writing and shall be served upon the mayor or any member of the
council within one week after the date of the resolution of suspension or removal and written charges
shall be served upon the city manager within fifteen days after the service of such demand upon the
mayor or any member of the council and public hearing shall be had on said charges before the city
council within thirty days after the service of such charges, but the city council and the city manager
may consent to a hearing on said charges at a later date, but the removal of the city manager shall not
take effect until such hearing shall have been held, but pending such hearing the city council may
suspend the city manager from office. During the absence or disability of the city manager, the
duties of that office shall be performed by some properly qualified person designated by the council.
(Ordinance No. 1086, passed June 11, 1984)
Section 12. OATH OF OFFICE. Every officer of the city shall, before entering upon the
duties of the office, take and subscribe an oath of office in substantially the following form: I do
solemnly swear [or affirm] to support the constitution of the United States and of this state, and to
discharge faithfully the duties devolving upon me as of this city to the
best of my judgment and ability. (Ordinance No. 1086, passed June 11, 1984)
-3-
Section 13. SALARIES. The mayor and council members shall by ordinance fix their own
salaries in such amount as they deem reasonable. No change in salary shall take effect until after the
next succeeding municipal election. (Ordinance No. 1388, passed April 26, 1999) (Ordinance
No. 1086, passed June 11, 1984)
Section 14. CITY OFFICERS NOT TO ACCEPT FAVORS OR CONTRACTS.
(Deleted from Charter before 1950).
Section 15. OFFICIAL BONDS. By resolution, the council shall establish bonding and
insurance requirements for all city employees as security for the faithful performance of their
respective duties and the safekeeping of the public funds. (Ordinance No. 1480, passed January
24, 2005)
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