HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-30 CHC MIN
.
.
.
Charter Commission
July 30,2001
Meeting Minutes
Present:
Wayne Anderson, Chairperson, Gary Kriesel, Eugene Bealka, Richard Colemeier,
Mary Ruch and Chuck Donnelly
Absent
Dan Feia, and Julie Ann Gustanski
Mr. Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared there were sufficient
members to constitute a quorum for the meeting.
It was stated that this special meeting was requested by Nile Kriesel under the direction of City
Council. The City Council desires that a councilmember be appointed to serve on the Board of
Water Commissioners. John Rheinberger is interested in being that councilmember.
Wayne Anderson suggested discussing the situation in general before dealing with the specifics
of terms, start dates, etc. He asked the other members for their opinions on having a City
Councilmember on the Water Board.
Richard Colemeier stated that the Ordinance itself, is in error. That #1305 should be amended,
not #1304. Secondly, from Mr. Colemeier's standpoint, he does not like the sentence that reads
one who must be a member of the City Council. Also, he feels that this move would destroy
the independence of the Water Board from the City Council as it is now set up. He wonders
what will happen if the Water Board is ever in disagreement with the City Council. Wayne
Anderson stated that the City Council appoints the members of the Water Board and therefore,
could appoint anyone they wanted to. He is also not sure that the statement reading at least one
must is a good idea because that leaves it open for all the members ofthe Board of Water
Commissioners to be City Councilmembers.
Gary Kriesel stated that he thinks it's a great idea having a City Councilmember on the Water
Board and that he agrees with Wayne. This will help keep the Board of Water Commissioners
directly accountable to the voters. This lack of direct accountability has always concerned him.
Mary Ruch asked if this direction from the Council meant that the current Water Board members
were inept. Gary Kriesel stated that this was definitely not the case and all he was stating was
that he liked the idea of a councilmember on the Water Board and that this was not a precedent
setting move. He does not see how this could possibly harm or hinder the operation ofthe Water
Board. He asked Mary Ruch if she viewed City Council as the "enemy". She stated that she was
merely puzzled as to the reasoning behind the City Council's request.
Mr. Bealka stated that this would not be the first time that a City Councilmember served on the
Water Board. He went on to explain that he, as a councilmember, is not sure what purpose the
Water Board serves. Their meetings are not advertised, although they are supposedly public. No
one knows where their meetings are held, let alone when. City Council does not know what is
discussed nor do they receive reports or minutes. He has heard that these meetings are held over
.
.
.
breakfast. He feels that by installing an active City Councilmember to the Water Board, a direct,
open line of communication will be established. This would put everyone on the "same page".
He stated the importance of being able to see, hear, and document what the Water Board does
and to be able to get a look at their books.
Wayne Anderson derived that the desire of City Council was that there always be a member of
the City Council on the Board of Water Commissioners. Something that was not a concern of
this ordinance, but he thinks should now be addressed, is the fact that it states "at least one"
which would allow all members of the Water Board to be City Councilmembers.
Richard Colemeier stated that perhaps the wording should read "no more than one member may
be an active City Councilmember". He quoted from Nile Kriesel's letter that "City Council
requests that the Charter Commission consider revising Article 3, Section 13.05 to include a
provision for a Councilmember appointment for a two year term.
Wayne Anderson said that it may not be possible for the Charter Commission to act on this
request tonight due to the short notice and the other issues that have come up during the meeting.
He pointed out that not taking any action tonight did not mean that they did not agree with the
Council's request but simply meant that more time was needed to consider all of the issues.
Eugene Bealka stated that the Commission should be careful not to "set in stone" the language
dictating the appointment of a councilmember to the Water Board.
Motion Richard Colemeier moved to table the issue for further study and notify City Council
that they are able to appoint anybody they wish to the Water Board for the normal term of
service. In other words, no changes will be made to the Charter and no action will be made until
further study has been completed.
Wayne Anderson called for a second to the motion.
Motion failed due to the lack of a second.
Mary Ruch expressed her wish to respond to this request.
Motion Mary Ruch moved to amend and approve the proposal to state: The board may consist
of three members, all of whom are eligible voters of the City of Stillwater and no more than one
of whom may be an active member of the City Council.
Richard Colemeier seconded.
Vote: In favor Wayne Anderson, Mary Ruch, Eugene Bealka, Chuck Donnelly and Richard
Colemeier. Opposed Gary Kriesel. Motion carries.
.
.
.
The next order of business was to discuss the rules and procedures for removal of members of
the Charter Commission. Wayne Anderson pointed out the difficulty of gathering enough
members for a quorum when some members repeatedly fail to show.
Gary Kriesel stated that Dan F eia is in the process of submitting a letter of resignation due to his
move out of state.
Mr. Anderson passed around letters from two individuals who expressed their interest in
becoming charter Commission members.
Motion: Richard Colemeier moved to forward the names of the Charter Commission candidates
to the judge. Seconded by Wayne Anderson.
Discussion: Mary Ruch asked to amend the motion to include that the Charter Commission
notify the candidates that their names were being forward to the judge and that the next meeting
will be held on September 17, 2001. This met with everyone's approval.
Vote: All in favor
Gary Kriesel was asked about the status ofthe training materials and information packets that
were requested from city hall. Kriesel said he had not heard anything yet. Wayne Anderson will
talk to Sue Moore about this request.
Richard Colemeier discussed the conference on re-districting that he attended earlier today. He
stated that he had a large amount of material to read up on.
Gary Kriesel questioned if a letter of appreciation had been sent to Nance Purcell for her service
on the Charter Commission.
Motion Mr. Kriesel moved that letters of appreciation be sent by the Chairperson of the Charter
Commission, to Nance Purcell and other past members in good standing for their service to the
Charter Commission. Chuck Donnelly seconded.
Discussion. Mary Ruch stated that in the past she drafted letters of appreciation for the Chair's
signature and the City Council gave out a certificate of appreciation to them. She asked who,
besides Nance Purcell, should receive a letter. She agreed to contact City Hall regarding the
certificates.
Vote all in favor
Motion Richard Colemeier moved to adjourn the meeting. Mary Ruch seconded.
Vote all in favor.
Respectfully submitted
Kathy Rogness
Acting Recording Secretary