HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2017COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS
City of Columbia Heights
590 40`" Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 -3878 (763) 706 -3600 TDD (763) 706 -3692
Visit our website at: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov
Meeting of the Charter Commission
July 20, 2017
7:00 p.m.
City Hall
Conference Room 1
1. Call to Order
1A. Oath of Office —
James Guy
2. Roll Call /Status of Membership
Resignation -Lee Bak
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval Minutes of January 20, 2017
5. Correspondence
6. Old Business
7. New Business
A. Review of Chapter 2- Section 7; Elective offices
B. Review of Chapter 2- Section 10; the Mayor
8. Adjournment
Mayor
Donna Schmitt
Councilmembers
Robert A. Williams
John Murzyn, Jr.
Connie Buesgens
Nick Novitsky
City Manager
Walter R. Fehst
Next Meeting Date: October 19, 2017 at 7:00 P.M., City Hall Conference Room 1
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
APRIL 20, 2017
7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Call to Order
President Steve Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Introduction of new member Tom Kaiser
Oath of Office —
Tom Kaiser
Carolyn Laine
Roll Call /Status of Membership
Members present: Steve Smith, Matt Abel, Ramona Anderson, Lee Bak, Roger Johnson, Tom Kaiser,
Carolyn Laine, Mike Patiuk, Eric Penniston, Frost Simula, Gregory Sloat, Susan Wiseman
Members absent (excused): James Guy and Rob Fiorendino
Also in attendance: City Attorney Jim Hoeft, Council Liaison Connie Buesgens, City Clerk /Recording Secretary
Katie Bruno, and Councilmember John Murzyn, Jr.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Bak to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Penniston, seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve the minutes from the
January 21, 2017 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence
Secretary Bruno reported she received a resignation from Jeffrey Diehm, he is moving out of the City.
She will notify the Chief Judge of the new vacancy.
Secretary Bruno indicated Mayor Schmitt has sent an email requesting a joint meeting between the City
Council and the Charter Commission. Mayor Schmitt suggested the council could possibly attend the July 20th
scheduled meeting. President Smith suggested discussing that further prior to adjourning the meeting.
President Smith reminded the group that the Charter Commission is separate from the City Governance;
members are appointed by the District Court Judge. The commission is required to see that the charter
complies with current law while ensuring State Statutes are not violated.
Old Business
A. Review of Charter Chapter 2, Section 9, Vacancies on the Council.
Charter Commission Meeting
April 20, 2017
Page 2 of 3
President Smith suggested discussing the item tonight; requesting members submit any recommended
changes to the City Clerk or himself prior to the next meeting. The recommend changes could then be
incorporated into the charter; constituting a first reading. The second reading could take place at the October
meeting, followed by recommendation to the council.
President Smith requested a motion be made if the group intends to allow for public comment at tonight's
meeting. Commissioner Penniston indicated it would be most appropriate to allow public comment at the City
Council meeting at the time an amendment is being considered.
Commissioner Simula suggested the timeline be shortened. Councilmember Buesgens suggested the initial 45
day time period could be shortened. Hoeft indicated there are not any legal standards regarding the number
of days, cautioning the commission to avoid shortening the period too much, requiring special council
meetings be set to meet time frames.
Commissioner Bak questioned the basis for concern with the time frame being too long. Commissioner Simula
indicated he thinks the time frame was likely set to allow ample time to attract applicants; noting with 17
applications received, the community is passionate about serving. Jim Hoeft said in the past it was difficult to
get applicants. Councilmember Buesgens suggested three weeks would be enough time for the application
period. Hoeft indicated the tie votes resulted in the process being lengthened on the back end of the time
frame. Commissioner Laine suggested the publication period could be shortened; allowing the appointment
to be made the end of February.
Commissioner Penniston stated the issues in question were a result of the Council's implementation of the
process, suggesting the council be given a written plan that addresses issues that may come up; i.e. tie votes.
Commissioner Simula indicated he understood the Council did meet and establish a plan that was not made
known to the public. Hoeft indicated the meetings were public work sessions scheduled prior to the regular
council meetings. Councilmember Buesgens agreed it would be beneficial to have a consistent plan to address
the entire process.
Commissioner Simula indicated he sees two issues with the process. The first being the fact that some issues
were not addressed by the council, because they were waiting to have the fifth member seated. The second
being the tie votes, which implied the City Council has weak leadership.
President Smith summarized the issues include the length of the process, the lack of a detailed plan and a
process to address consistent tie votes. Commissioner Anderson suggested allowing the mayor to appoint in
the event of a tie.
Commissioner Penniston inquired about adopting a resolution, rather than amending the Charter. Hoeft
stated the Charter is a good place to address vacancies, resolutions can change too frequently. Commissioner
Laine asked the group to think about ranked choice voting.
Laine indicated it can be difficult to follow along at a meeting if items are not voted on in the prescribed
manner and suggested adding the requirement that the Mayor and Council receive parliamentary procedure
training. Hoeft reported that the procedure does not dictate the substance of the process.
President Smith suggested commissioners submit any suggestions or questions to him or the City Clerk prior to
the July meeting.
New Business
A. Discussion of Joint Meeting between the City Council and the Charter Commission
Commissioner Bak questioned the reason for the request. Councilmember Buesgens stated Mayor Schmitt
Charter Commission Meeting
April 20, 2017
Page 3 of 3
wanted an opportunity to share Council's experiences of the appointment process with the commission.
Bak expressed concern with compromising the independence of the Charter. President Smith agreed, noting
he wasn't sure what would be achieved in the joint meeting.
Councilmember Buesgens suggested she can serve as a liaison between the commission and the council.
Commissioner Wiseman agreed. President Smith commented it is the consensus of the commission to remain
independent and not hold a joint meeting with the council.
Commissioner Abel reminded the commission that there is no need to hurry the process. President Smith and
Commissioner Simula agreed.
Next Meeting Date: July 20, 2017 at 7:00 P.M., City Hall Conference Room 1
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Bak to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectively Submitted,
Katie Bruno,
City Clerk /Recording Secretary
CHAPTER 2
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Current Language:
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 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 tern 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)
Proposed Changes:
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 Mayor and The -four council members shall serve for a tern of four years and until their
successors are elected and qualified. ''_he Mayer- shall ser- e =vi- inelzm of twe ycma and sieieeesse-
is eleeted 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 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 've- the appeintffleat, eentrel, and
dir-eetio of all poli e effieers of the eity, a+a 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 tern 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)