HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-2018 MinutesMINUTES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CHARTER COMMISSION
APRIL 19, 2018
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: Steve Smith, Matt Abel, Kathy Ahlers, Ramona Anderson, Bill Hugo, Roger Johnson, Tom
Kaiser, Gregory Sloat, Frost Simula, and Carolyn Laine (arrived at 7:29)
Members absent (excused): Susan Wiseman, Eric Penniston, Mike Patiuk, James Guy and Rob Fiorendino
Also in attendance: City Attorney Jim Hoeft, Council Liaison Connie Buesgens, and City Clerk/Recording
Secretary Katie Bruno
President Smith announced Eric Penniston and James Guy have resigned from the Commission.
Commissioner Roger Johnson announced he will be resigning, he is moving out of the City.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Simula to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Sloat to approve the minutes from the January 18,
2018 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence - None
Old Business
A. Update regarding Council action; Chapter 2-Section 7; Elective offices (changing the term of the Mayor
from two years to four years.)
President Smith reported the City Council considered the Ordinance (1643) at their February 12th meeting.
Councilmember Buesgens reported the council voted 4-1 to deny the ordinance, the 4 opposing
councilmembers stated they would prefer any decision to change the term of the Mayor be made by the
voters.
City Attorney Jim Hoeft explained the Charter Commission has three options; make no changes, make a
substantive change to the original recommendation and send back to the Council for consideration, or the
Charter Commission could authorize the item be placed on the ballot.
Commissioner Ahlers commented that she thinks the item should be a ballot question, being that this is a
regular election year, costs would be minimal.
Commissioner Anderson commented that there has not been any issues in the past with the two year mayoral
term, and sees no reason to make a change.
Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Sloat to leave the Charter as is.
4 Ayes, 5 Nays, Motion failed.
Ayes: Abel, Anderson, Sloat, Smith. Nays: Ahlers, Hugo, Johnson, Kaiser, and Simula.
Charter Commission Meeting
April 19, 2018
Page 2 of 3
Motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Ahlers to place the item on the ballot for the
next regularly scheduled election. 7 Ayes, 2 Nays, Motion carried.
Ayes: Abel, Smith, Ahlers, Hugo, Johnson, Kaiser, and Simula. Nays: Anderson, Sloat
B. Second Reading of Chapter 2-Sections 10 and 53; the Mayor’s direction of the Police Department
President Steve Smith clarified that the Charter Commission adopted a first reading of the item at their
January 18th meeting. The second reading is being proposed tonight, the language is as follows:
Section 10. THE MAYOR. 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.
And
Section 53. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER. Subject to the provisions of this charter and any
regulations consistent therewith which may be adopted by council, the city manager shall control and direct
the administration of the city's affairs. except that the police department and the enforcement of the laws
pertaining to said department shall be under the sole control of the mayor.
Commissioner Kaiser stated he is not in favor of the change, as it limits the Mayor’s power. Commissioner
Ahlers clarified that it is her understanding that the Mayor has historically delegated the management of the
Police Department to the City Manager, and this would allow the “form to fit the function.”
Commissioner Anderson stated that the mayor is elected by the residents, and the City Manager is appointed,
and difficult to terminate, requiring a unanimous vote by the council. City Attorney Jim Hoeft clarified that a
majority of the council can terminate the City Manager’s employment contract.
Commissioner Hugo stated he feels the City Manager would likely have more skills in personnel matters and
management of staff than an elected Mayor would have.
Smith indicated that the majority of charter cities surveyed have the Police Department under the direction of
the City Manager.
Motion by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Hugo to take the direction of the Police
Department from the Mayor to the City Manager. 6 Ayes, 3 Nays. Motion Carried.
Ayes: Abel, Smith, Ahlers, Hugo, Johnson, and Simula. Nays: Anderson, Kaiser, and Sloat
C. Discussion of Council Appointment Process.
President Smith reported that the Chief Judge makes the appointments to the Charter Commission. City
Attorney Hoeft indicated he was contacted by the judge, and asked to submit the names of candidates
together, rather than individually. Hoeft also clarified that interested applicants should submit an application;
to the City even if they have done so in the past. There was a lengthy discussion regarding whether
applications should be submitted to the City or directly to the Chief Judge. Hoeft indicated the Chief judge has
requested all applications go through the City.
New Business
Commissioner Simula requested his suggestions from July 2017 regarding council vacancies be added to the
July agenda. Commissioner Smith requested commissioners submit any ideas for the upcoming agenda.
Commissioner Ahlers suggested the consideration of rank choice voting be added to the next agenda.
Charter Commission Meeting
April 19, 2018
Page 3 of 3
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Simula to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectively Submitted,
____________________________________
Katie Bruno, City Clerk/Recording Secretary