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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-2015MINUTES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION OCTOBER 15, 2015 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: Ramona Anderson, James Guy, Roger Johnson, Mike Patiuk, Greg Sloat, Steve Smith, Tim Utz, and Jeff Diehm Members absent (excused): Wes Wiggins, Matt Abel, Eric Penniston, Lee Bak Members absent (unexcused): Carolyn Laine, Rob Fiorendino Also in attendance: Council Liaison Bruce Nawrocki, City Attorney Jim Hoeft, Cable Attorney Mike Bradley, HR Director /Assistant to the City Manager Kelli Bourgeois, City Clerk /Recording Secretary Katie Bruno Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Guy to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Diehm, seconded by Commissioner Guy to approve the minutes from the July 16, 2015 meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Correspondence President Smith read a resignation letter for Commissioner Charles Tyler. Old Business A. Discussion regarding Chapter 10, sections 93 -101; City Charter City Attorney Jim Hoeft explained that the Charter Commission is interested in updating the chapter to reflect state statutes and rules. Mr. Hoeft noted the commission is interested in clarifying the validity of the sections, or if they have been circumvented by state and federal regulations. Mike Bradley, the City's Cable Attorney made the following recommendations: Commissioner Jeff Diehm asked if other cities address franchises in their Charters. Mr. Bradley stated they do, although most are not as lengthy. City Attorney Jim Hoeft explained some of the issues are superseded by Federal and State laws. Councilmember Nawrocki stated that the city no longer has a Cable Commission, and would suggest eliminating the 5% fee. Chairperson Smith and City Attorney Hoeft stated that would be addressed through the negotiation process between the City Council and the franchisee. Chairperson Smith summarized the recommend changes are in sections 95, 96, 98, 99 and 100. City Attorney Hoeft stated he will redraft the sections as discussed and provide a copy to the Mr. Bradley for review. Then the proposed changed will be forwarded to the commission members with their next agenda. Commissioner Greg Sloat requested looking at other cities for comparison. Mr. Bradley stated he will look at the cities of Minneapolis and Coon Rapids, as he has worked with both cities B. Discussion regarding minute taking at meetings Commissioner Stephen Smith reported he has talked to a few other cities, the majority have city staff complete the minutes. The primary reason most cities gave was to provide commission members the opportunity to be fully engaged in the meetings. Current secretary of the Charter Commission Matt Abel was not in attendance, but did send comments in support of city staff continuing to the take minutes. Mr. Abel's only concern was the additional cost to the city to provide a staff member. Next Meeting Date Next meeting scheduled for January 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Conference Room 1. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Diehm, seconded by Commissioner Anderson to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Respectively Submitted, I Xaitu, A/u Kf-. Katie Bruno, City Clerk