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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-19 CHC MIN . CHARTER COMMISSION Meeting Minutes May 19, 2003 Chairperson Ruch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Present: Eugene Bealka, Pat Needham, Richard Colemier, Gary Kriesel, Charles Donnelly and Chairperson Ruch. Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Nile Kriesel, Wayne Anderson and John Lund Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Colemier, seconded by Commissioner Kriesel to approve the February 24, 2003 minutes. All in favor. Old Business Water Board study materials delivered to City Hall . Chairperson Ruch stated that she delivered Water Board information to the City Clerk. She informed the commission that the City Administrator study information from the Charter Commission should be given to the City for the records. She stated that she would ask Commissioner Anderson if he has this information. Report on Rules qoverninq referendums Commissioner Ruch reviewed the memo from City Clerk Ward and attachments from City Attorney Magnuson. She stated that it seems that in an election year the timing for an ordinance to be placed before the Council should be June 1. She also stated that she was confused as to whether or not the Commission requested the question to be placed on the ballot as mentioned in City Attorney Magnuson's memo. It was not clear if anytime the Charter Commission sent an ordinance to the Council, it had to be placed on the ballot, or if the Council could return it to the Charter Commission for further consideration. In that case, the Charter Commission could decide if they wished to go to a referendum at that time (or later), or if they wished to continue discussions with the Council. That timing issue could avoid the need for special elections. Commissioners Kriesel and Colemier stated that they were a little confused on that as well. Commissioner Ruch stated that she would try to get clarification on this issue from the City Clerk or City Attorney Magnuson. . Leqislation reQardinq Council members as Charter Commission members. . . . Chairperson Ruch stated that she did not believe that the legislature addressed the issue of Councilmembers on the Charter Commission this session. She stated that the House File proposed that the City Charter could provide that Mayor and Councilmembers may not serve on the Charter Commission. Commissioner Needham reviewed the Charter Commission statutes, which states that Mayor and Council may serve on the Charter Commission. Commissioner Bealka stated that he has thought about applying for the Water Board position. He stated that after talking to the City Administrator and the City Attorney that he would only be able to serve on one commission at a time. New Business: Report bv Gary Kriesel on impact of cuts in aid to local qovernment Commissioner Kriesel reviewed the impact of cuts in aid to local government. He stated that City Administrator Hansen estimated that there would be $500,000 in cuts to local government aid. He stated that with the cuts from departments that were recommended the City is still approximately $47,000 short to reach the $500,000. He stated that the worse case scenario is $719,000 in reduction of local government aid would mean that the City is $247,000. He stated that if that happens it will affect core services. He reviewed the department cuts, and stated that the Police Department is the hardest hit right now because the department will be short three police officers. He stated that the Fire Department did not have much room to cut. He stated that the only way the Fire Department could do any cuts is to change the scheduling, because they have a great deal of overtime costs. He stated that even though the City has received an insurance settlement on the prison fire that is a one-time revenue and cannot be considered in the reduction of local government aid. He stated that there is a proposal that would freeze bonding for two years, which would be disastrous because the North Hill project, the library, or capital outlay could not be bonded. He also stated that the City is looking at volunteer reduction in hours and other items to meet the budget cuts. Commissioner Ruch stated that she received a memo from the City Clerk regarding the Charter Commission budget. She stated that per Minnesota Statute the Charter Commission is required to have a budget, however the commission should be prudent in spending the commission budget. Report from Pat Needham and Richard Colemier on what they have learned about the public library Chairperson Ruch stated that at the last meeting there was discussion regarding the library and the background of the Library. . . . Commissioner Colemier reviewed the history of the library and stated that the library was created in 1897 and that the only way the library can be dissolved is by referendum. Commissioner Kriesel asked if the library was merged with the County would that require a referendum. Commissioner Needham stated that issue is addressed in Minnesota Statutes 134.195, Subd. 2, (Library) appointment of joint library board. He reviewed the statute with the commission. He stated that there is a mechanism where you can change from a City library to a regional library; it would be a joint library rather than a City library. He stated it would not take a referendum to change to a regional library. Commissioner Needham expressed concern with the use of public funds for the library when there is a budget crisis. He stated that it is not the intent to dissolve the library, however, the statute provides for school funding for the library, which may provide the money to be spent more judiciously. He reviewed the statutes regarding the library. Commissioner Ruch stated that in the past the school district did not want to put a library next to a school for child safety reasons. Commissioner Kriesel stated that one of every ten dollars in taxes goes to the library and their projected budget increase could be as much as 16%, which is significant. Commissioner Ruch stated that this issue should be discussed with the Council, county, school and then brought back to the Charter Commission. Commissioner Colemier reviewed the discontinuance statute with the commission. Commissioner Ruch stated that the Charter Commission would not be the entity to explore the issue of changing governance of the library. Commissioner Bealka expressed concern that during this economic time that money is being spent for the expansion. Chairperson Ruch stated that the money being spent is from funds that the library has raised through donations. Request from Council for an ordinance reqardinq publication of proceedinqs. Chairperson Ruch reviewed a request sent by Diane Ward to discontinue the publication of proceedings. It was the consensus of the commission to continue with the publication of proceedings due to not everyone having access. . Meetino notices bv e-mail Commission members agreed to try receiving meeting notices and Charter Commission minutes by e-mail. Ms. Ruch will provide e-mail addresses to the City for a trial run of the method. Other. Water Board expansion of members Council member Kriesel asked that we discuss the possibility of expanding membership on the Water Board. Kriesel thought that the board may be agreeable to the expansion because anytime two of the members talk about water board operations they are in violation of the open meeting law and they have a quorum. Commissioner Ruch stated that if the Councilor Board wishes to expand the membership they should bring the issue to the commission. Future Meetino. At the next meeting, the Commission will discuss the possible expansion of Water board membership, and the open meeting laws. Next meeting of the commission would be on August 18, 2003. . Adjournment. Motion by Commissioner Needham, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Ward City Clerk .