HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-20 CHC MIN
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Charter Commission
Sept. 20, 1999
Present:
Kathy Czar, chairperson
Wayne Anderson, Chuck Donnelly, Steve Keister, Robert Kimbrel, Gary Kriesel,
Howard Lieberman (7:30), Nance Purcell and Mary Ruch
Ms. Czar called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. She introduced and welcomed Mr. Kriesel as a
new member.
Approval of minutes: Ms. Ruch, seconded by Mr. Anderson, moved approval of the minutes of
June 21, 1999; all in favor.
Review of Proposed Charter Amendment:
Members briefly reviewed the proposed changes. It was agreed that the language in Article V
accurately reflects the Commission's position and direction to City Attorney Magnuson.
Regarding Article VI, Ms. Ruch and Mr. Donnelly suggested that the language was somewhat
ambiguous: Is the mayor a facilitator or leader? Ms. Czar said that could be discussed in a
workshop session with the City Council if desired, but at this point, it is not up to the
Commission to make language changes.
. Mr. Kimbrel raised a question regarding the powers of the administrator as enumerated in section
7.01; Ms. Czar noted there is language referencing back to section 5.011 that clarifies the powers
of appointment/hiring/firing. Ms. Ruch and Mr. Donnelly raised a question regarding the use of
capital letters for Department Heads, Supervisory Employees, etc., noting that generally the use
of capital letters indicates there is a definition of that title somewhere in the body of the
document. Ms. Ruch raised a question regarding 7.04 giving the Council the function of
establishing personnel policies and procedures; Ms. Czar noted the Council must have that
authority in order to comply with such issues as the federal EDA requirements.
Ms. Czar said she would inform members when the Council sets the public hearing on the
proposed amendment. Mr. Kimbrel asked whether the Commission should have some kind of
plan to follow up with the Council on the amendment. Ms. Ruch noted that the proposal is an
outgrowth of a workshop the Commission and Council held, but agreed that perhaps the timeline
may have resulted in Council Members losing track of the underlying reasons for the changes.
Mr. Kriesel suggested it would be good to make sure the Commission has the support of the
Council and revisit the sense of cooperation. It was agreed that members would contact Council
members on an individual basis: Mr. Kimbrel will talk with Mayor Kimble, Mr. Anderson with
Mr. Thole, Ms. Ruch with Mr. Bealka, Ms. Czar with Mr. Zoller and Mr. Donnelly with Mr.
Cummings. It was noted that adoption of the proposed amendment requires a unanimous vote of
the Council. If there is not a unanimous vote, the matter will come back to the Commission or be
sent to a referendum.
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. Discussion of future proiects:
Ms. Czar said he has invited Joe Mansky of Hennepin County to attend the Commission's
November meeting to talk about the Commission's role and responsibility in redistricting based
on the new census. The November meeting will be Nov. 15.
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Ms. Czar said Mr. Magnuson has not had time to work on language regarding the disclosure of
campaign contributions as the Commission has requested.
Ms. Ruch noted that if a member thinks there is something that warrants study, he/she can
certainly bring that issue forward, with the understanding the member is willing to work on the
proj ect.
Mr. Keister pointed out the school districts are required to go to referendum on major capital
expenditures and asked if members thought that was an issue regarding the City and an issue for
possible study. Ms. Czar stated she is strongly opposed to initiative and referendum, suggesting
that kind of decision-making is done at election time; Ms. Purcell suggested requiring a
referendum in such matters would amount to micromanaging.
Mr. Kriesel asked if a study of the Water Board was still an initiative, noting that minutes of past
meetings do not reflect a resolution of the issue. Ms. Ruch and Ms. Czar noted that when the
Commission started the city manager project, it was decided to separate those two issues, and the
Commission passed a resolution not to discuss the Water Board when the city manager project
was undertaken. Mr. Keister said he had done some research into the issue, and his concern is
that the Water Department might become an enterprise fund for the City. Mr. Kriesel said he
thought the issue represented an opportunity for the City to improve productivity, and if changes
to the current structure require a Charter change, he would be willing to work on the issue. It was
the consensus to put off any further discussion until after the November meeting when there is a
better understanding of how much work will be required for redistricting and when there is
information regarding the status of the city manager project. Mr. Lieberman concluded that over
the past 10 years, the Commission has attempted to make changes to the Charter to reflect the
more homogenous community the City has evolved into; the Charter Commission isn't an
elected body, he said, and shouldn't look to micromanage and make changes that don't represent
burning issues.
New business:
Mr. Kimbrel informed members of a Sept. 22 workshop on Metropolitan Council's development
guidelines and an Oct. 7 meeting at which Met Council Chair Ted Mondale will be speaking.
Mr. Lieberman noted that he was unable to be on time to the September meeting due to the fact
that Sept. 20 was a Jewish holiday, and asked that in future in scheduling meetings, consideration
be given to religious holidays.
It was agreed not to meet in October, depending on the Council's actions regarding the Charter
amendment. Ms. Czar will notify members if a meeting is to be scheduled.
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Mr. Donnelly, seconded by Mr. Anderson, moved to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary
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