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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-20 CHC MIN City's web master/design: Ms. Ward said initially Stillwater High School students were responsible for the City's web site. However, in 1997, the City assumed responsibility for the site, as the information was not being updated fast enough. In February of this year, Review of ordinances/statutes referenced in the Charter: Mr. Gordon distributed a list he had prepared which identifies ordinances/statutes referenced in the Charter by title; there are two ordinances yet to be completed. Mr. Gordon noted the intent is to make it easier for people to identify the documents referenced in the Charter. Ms. Ward pointed out that the Charter is posted on the City's web site and asked Mr. Gordon to send her the listing so she can add it to the web site as a supplement to the Charter. Ms. Ruch asked if it would be possible to add where the referenced ordinances/statutes are available. It was agreed that Ms. Ward and Mr. Gordon will look into that possibility. Remembrance of Richard Colemier: Ms. Ruch remembered Mr. Colemier as someone always ready to go the extra mile in his service on the Commission. Ms. Ruch suggested it might be appropriate for the City Council to send a letter of thanks to the family acknowledging Mr. Colemier's years of service to the City. Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Lund, moved to request that the City Council send a letter of thanks to the Colemier family. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Ruch noted that Jeanne Anderson was the only applicant to replace Mr. Colemier on the Commission. Approval of minutes: Mr. Gordon asked that the section on publications in the March 21, 2005, minutes be amended to specify that the Commission was interested in obtaining copies of Chapter 4 of Minnesota Home Rule Charter Cities. Ms. Ruch asked if it had been determined if it is permissible to make copies of that publication. Mr. Gordon said an attorney with the League of Minnesota Cities had indicated it would be permissible with attribution, but was still checking on the issue. Ms. Ruch asked Mr. Gordon to notify Clerk Ward once the League makes a final determination so that copies can be available for the next Commission meeting. Also in reference to the March 21 minutes, Ms. Ruch suggested the Commission had exhausted the topic of a parcel of City-owned land that Mr. Colemier had been investigating. Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Needham, moved approval of the March 21,2005, minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Ruch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Absent: Gene Bealka and Dorothy Molstad Others: City Clerk Diane Ward Present: Mary Ruch, chair Wayne Anderson, Ned Gordon, John Lund, Patrick Needham, and Dwayne Nelson City of Stillwater Charter Commission June 20, 2005 Discussion of "Guide for Charter Commissions": Ms. Ruch noted that each Commission members had received a copy of the "Guide" and asked if the Commission wanted to work through any portion of the document as part of the next meeting. Ms. Ruch suggested that members read the "Guide" and highlight items with a view to incorporating what may be missing from the City's Charter for discussion at the next meeting. "How to Amend the Charter" on the web site: Ms. Ruch asked how members felt about placing the document on the list of reference materials that will be added to the web site as a supplement to the Charter. Ms. Ruch said she thought it was important for the document to be referenced somehow and spoke of the Commission's experience with the Water Board issue that ended up as a referendum when that might have been avoided had everyone been aware of the process involved in amending a charter. Mr. Nelson asked if Attorney Magnuson was available to the Commission. Ms. Ruch said yes, but due to the cost involved, the Commission has been prudent in seeking Mr. Magnuson's services. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Gordon agreed it made sense to include "How to Amend the Charter" in the list of reference materials. Commission applicant: Jeanne Anderson appeared before the Commission with a brief introduction of herself and her interest in serving on the Commission. Recommended grammatical corrections to the Charter: Mr. Gordon distributed a copy of a memo he had sent to City Attorney Magnuson asking Mr. Magnuson to review and comment on the proposed grammatical changes to the Charter that the Commission has recommended be approved by the City Council. Mr. Gordon said Mr. Maguson's review/comments will likely be completed by the Commission's next meeting. Ms. Ruch suggested if he approves of the corrections, Mr. Magnuson could bring the issue directly to the Council without coming back to the Commission. Mr. Anderson expressed a concern that if a Council vote on the recommended corrections is not unanimous, a referendum might be the result. Ms. Ward noted that it appears the recommended changes are scrivener's errors; she said she could have Mr. Magnuson put together an ordinance amending the Charter correcting the scrivener's errors and bring the ordinance back to the Commission before it goes to the Council. It was agreed to have this issue on the fall meeting agenda. she said a web committee was established with representatives of each department. All departments are responsible for keeping their section ofthe web site up to date. Ms. Ward noted that the Charter is part of administration so that anything the Commission wishes to add to the web site should come to her and she will assist the Commission in accomplishing that. Mr. Gordon asked if it would be possible to include a list of other reference information/sources as an attachment to the Charter on the web site. Ms. Ward said that could be easily accomplished. Ms. Ruch suggested that Commission members come to the fall meeting with ideas on possible sources to include on the reference list; Ms. Ruch suggested one of the sources might be the "How to Amend the Charter" document. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Anderson, moved to adjourn at 8 p.m. Succession planning on Ms. Ruch's retirement: Ms. Ruch said her second term will expire in May 2006 and said she would prefer to have someone succeed her as chair while she is still on the Commission so that she might provide some assistance to the new chair. She asked that members be thinking about the appointment of a new chair for discussion at the next meeting. Consideration of new member: Ms. Ruch noted Jeanne Anderson has been the only person to come forward and indicate a desire to serve on the Commission and suggested the Commission consider recommending her appointment. Mr. Lund, seconded by Mr. Gordon, moved to recommend Jeanne Anderson for appointment to the Commission. Ms. Ruch will contact Judge Schurrer's office to communicate the Commission's recommendation.