HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-19 CHC MIN
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Charter Commission
Oct. 19, 1998
Present:
Tim Old, chairperson
Kathy Czar, Steve Keister, Robert Kimbrel, Howard Lieberman and Mary Ruch
Absent:
Chuck Donnelly, Nance Purcell and Don Valsvik
Others:
City Administrator Nile Kriesel and Katie O'Brien, Stillwater Gazette
Mr. Old called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. He welcomed students from a government class
at Stillwater Area High School, Mellissa Irwin, Allison Sherod and Desiree Siegens.
Approval of minutes: Ms Czar, seconded by Mr. Kimbrel, moved to approve the minutes of Sept.
21, 1998; all in favor.
City Charter proiect
It was agreed to amend the agenda to have the City Charter project the first item of business.
Ms. Czar and Ms. Ruch stated the goal of the project over the course of three meetings is to
provide an overview of the city's existing form of government; the difference between the
existing structure and a council-manager form of government; and whether the Charter
Commission would support a change to the council-manager structure. Ms. Czar and Ms. Ruch
provided a "guided tour" of a document Ms. Ruch prepared to guide the discussion.
The document highlighted the role of the Charter Commission in determining the form of
government and the structure of statutory cities vs. charter cities; description of Stillwater's
current form of government as outlined by the Charter; summary and excerpts from the Policy
and Procedures Manual; the role and responsibility of the city coordinator; some guidelines for
the roles and responsibilities of the city council, mayor and city manager (taken from the Model
City Charter) in a council-manager form of government; and some starting points for discussion
at the November meeting.
Ms. Ruch and Ms. Czar noted that in many ways, the city currently functions as a council-
manager form. However, according to the City Charter, the mayor is the chief executive officer,
and according to the context of the Policy and Procedures Manual, the functions of the city
coordinator are limited and subject to the City Council's approval.
Ms. Ruch noted that the guidelines for roles/responsibilities under the council-manager form of
government are just that - guidelines - since charter cities, unlike statutory cities, are afforded a
lot of leeway in determining structure. Mr. Kriesel questioned the appointment of the city
attorney by the city manager as suggested in the document. Ms. Ruch said that is not cast in
concrete; it is merely a possibility to consider.
Mr. Kriesel stated he is "not too keen" on the need to change to a city manager form. He said
while his title is city coordinator, he functions as a city administrator. Mr. Kriesel further stated
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that the only difference he saw in what was presented in the document and the city's current
practice/structure is that of the appointment and removal of personnel. He also expressed a
concern about the lack of "public discussion" should the Commission recommend adopting the
council-manager structure.
Mr. Lieberman said whatever the Commission does, the Charter/Policy and Procedures Manual
should better articulate the existing structure and how it works. He also expressed a concern that
when Mr. Kriesel retires there could be confusion regarding responsibilities if there is nothing set
forth on paper. He also stated there is a possibility that by not taking advantage of its charter
status, the city could become as Statutory city by default.
Ms. Czar said as the city grows, with a part-time mayor and part-time council, it will be
important to have a full-time administrator.
Ms. Czar and Commission members acknowledged Ms. Ruch for the work she has done in
preparing for this project. Members were asked to add to the listed discussion points for the
November meeting.
Budget concerns
Mr. Keister had talked with Finance Director Diane Deblon regarding the Commission's budget
status. The Commission currently is about $300 over its 1998 budget of $2,000; most of the
expenditures have been for city attorney fees, it was reported. Money over budget comes from
the general fund.
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After some discussion, it was decided not to raise the issue of the Commission's budget. Mr.
Lieberman noted the Commission has never been denied any resource it has needed/requested.
Ms. Ruch noted that if the City is concerned, it would notify Mr. Magnuson not to do any work
for the Commission without prior approval. Mr. Keister said he would like the Commission to
prepare and submit a budget to the Council; Ms. Ruch pointed out that would put the
Commission in the position of having the Council deny its budget.
Old business
· Aiple paper: Ms. Czar and Mr. Lieberman reported that they had not prepared a paper on the
Aiple property as the status of the property has been colored by and is in a state of flux due to
the interstate bridge proposal and the many agencies involved in the bridge process.
· Publication deadlines: Mr. Old reported he had not had an opportunity to continue the
discussion with City Clerk Modi Weldon, but said he would do so after the election.
· Mr. Old reported he had talked with City Attorney David Magnuson regarding the Conflict
of Interest enforcement mechanism that the City Council was to adopt within 60 days after
passage of the Conflict of Interest provision. Mr. Magnuson said that has not been done to
date. Mr. Lieberman suggested that the chairperson write a letter to Mr. Magnuson
expressing the Commission's concern about the failure to comply with the Conflict of
Interest amendment to the Charter. Ms. Ruch volunteered to write a letter for Mr. Old's
signature; the letter will also request a copy of the signed ordinance.
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· Attendance: There was a brief discussion regarding a concern about attendance. Mr. Keister
will provide Mr. Valsvik with a copy of the city manager project materials and mention the
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Issue agam.
New business
· Mr. Old stated he is interested in stepping down as chairperson at the first of the year. He
noted that in the past the vice-chair has assumed the chairmanship when there is a change in
that position; Ms. Czar has been vice-chair. Mr. Old also mentioned the possibility of
electing an archivist.
Mr. Lieberman, seconded by Mr. Keister, moved that nominations for chair, vice-chair and
archivists be submitted at the November meeting, with the election of officers to take place in
December.
· Mr. Keister stated that it had been mentioned to him that the Commission might want to
undertake a project studying the requirement of referenda on capital expenditures over a
certain dollar limit, similar to the constraints placed on school districts. Mr. Keister said
that's something the Commission might want to consider as a future project.
Ms. Ruch, seconded by Mr. Keister, moved to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary