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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-22 CHC MIN Ms. Purcell asked about section 5.014 and whether additional language was needed, or whether . the last sentence giving the Council oversight of the operation of the City by the administrator Mr. Donnelly asked if section 5.013 regarding planning functions would raise a "red flag" with the Council. Mr. Old responded the section in essence restates the requirement of the Metropolitan Council to adopt a Comprehensive Plan. It was the consensus the language in that section was OK. Mr. Keister made a motion to assemble the working papers as presented and request a workshop session with the Council. Ms. Czar asked members for any language changes they might have. Ms. Purcell said Mr. Kimbrel had contacted several cities (Brooklyn Park, Anoka and Crystal) with the manager/administrator form of organization and all the managers have the authority to hire/fire. The Anoka manager has the authority to hire/hire but asks for council approval of departments heads; the manager is not required to do that, but chooses to. The firing/hiring of the head of the police and fire departments is handled differently in all three cities, Mr. Kimbrel found. Ms. Purcell said she had contacted White Bear Lake. Ms. Purcell suggesting looking into how many times the Council has challenged Mr. Kriesel's hiring decisions. Changing the Charter to give the administrator/manager the authority to hire/fire is a matter of "tidying up" the existing duties, she said, and it enhances the clear separation of the Council as policy makers. City Manager Project - Possible Language . Ms. Czar asked for members opinion as to the format of the proposed language. Consensus was the format as laid out with options was a good way to get a reaction from the City Council. Mr. Keister asked to change the agenda to convey Mr. Valsvik's wish to tender his resignation as the first order of business. Mr. Keister, seconded by Ms. Purcell, moved to accept Mr. Valsvik's resignation and follow up with a request that he submit his resignation in writing. Ms. Czar will send a letter of thanks to Mr. Valsvik for his years of service on the Commission. Members were asked to contact any persons they know who may be interested in serving on the Commission. Approval of minutes: Mr. Keister moved to approve the minutes of Jan. 25, 1999. Mr. Old seconded the motion, noting the correction of one typo. Motion to approve the minutes as corrected passed unanimously. Ms. Czar called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Robert Kimbrel, Mary Ruch and Don Valsvik Absent: Kathy Czar, chairperson Chuck Donnelly, Steve Keister, Howard Lieberman, Tim Old and Nance Purcell Present: Charter Commission Feb. 22, 1999 . . . New business: Old business: Ms. Czar noted the Council had tabled the Conflict of Interest provision again and asked if members wanted to take any further action at this point. Mr. Keister said the Commission needs to keep asking questions, It was decided that Ms. Czar will contact Mr. Magnuson and offer the Commission's assistance as a resource in developing the enforcement mechanism. Ms. Czar will e-mail the discussed revisions to members. There was discussion about the final paragraph in section 2. Mr. Lieberman suggested possible language: "Clearly in the coming years there will be changes in the makeup of the Council and Coordinator. To avoid possible confusion, it is important that inconsistencies be eliminated..." Mr. Donnelly suggested adding language regarding the lack of definition in the current Charter. Ms. Purcell suggested language pointing out that the authority to hire/fire more clearly codifies the Council as policy makers. . Mr. Lieberman suggested eliminating as many references to the Charter Commission as possible, for example changing the wording in the paragraph regarding changes needed to reflect the current management model from "The Charter Commission believes..." to "Our position is..." He also suggested defining "key city officials" to include fire/police department heads and city attorney. Mr. Donnelly noted the Commission is not talking about philosophy, it is talking about changing the Charter to reflect the way the City operates; he suggested eliminating section 1 of the position paper. Ms. Czar suggested that it might be more effective to lead with section 2 of the draft paper.. There was discussion about the proposed position paper. Mr. Keister, seconded by Mr. Lieberman, moved to change the word "manager" to "administrator." Mr. Lieberman agreed that "manager" is raising a red flag. Mr. Keister moved to send the draft proposal, with the minor changes as discussed, to the City Council with a request for a workshop session as soon as possible. Mr. Old seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Czar asked that each member contact a Council member once the proposal is mailed to express the Commission's interest in the proposal. Mr. Donnelly questioned whether there should be some definition of a CEO in section 6.01. After discussion, it was the consensus to leave the language as proposed. Mr. Lieberman suggested changing the wording in section 7.01 - City Administrator to "the Council shall appoint an Administrator ..." in both options. Mr. Lieberman also suggested adding a "such other" clause to the section. should be eliminated. The consensus was the language was OK, with one minor change. "The . City Administrator is responsible to and serves at the pleasure ofthe Council." . . Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker . Recording Secretary Mr. Keister, seconded by Ms. Purcell, moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Mr. Old regretfully submitted his resignation and said he would like to be done by May 1. Ms. Czar asked Mr. Old if he would consider extending his membership until the workshop session with the City Council. Mr. Old said he would extend his membership until June 1 if necessary. Ms. Purcell said she would check into the possibility of having Commission meetings cablecast. . Mr. Lieberman informed members of two upcoming meetings regarding the new St. Croix River crossing. He wondered whether it was the Commission's duty to make public a Charter provision regarding the disposition of city-owned land, which includes the Aiple property, that might have a bearing on the issue. Mr. Lieberman said he thought the Commission should bring the issue to public attention in some neutral way. Ms. Czar and Mr. Donnelly said they thought the matter should be raised at the City Council level so it is a matter of public record. Mr. Lieberman suggested writing a letter to the Council expressing the Commission's concern that the provisions regarding the disposition of city-owned land be addressed and brought before the public at this time so as not to become an 11 th_hour issue in the bridge discussions. Mr. Lieberman, seconded by Mr. Keister, made that in the form of a motion; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Purcell will write a letter for Ms. Czar's signature.