HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-20 CHC MIN
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CHARTER COMMISSION
Jan. 20, 1997
Present:
Tim Old, chairman
Kathy Czar, Steve Keister, Howard Lieberman, Laurie Maher,
Nancy Purcell (8:20), Mary Ruch, and Don Valsvik
Absent:
Richard Slivik
Mr. Old called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
Approval.gf minutes: Ms. Ruch, seconded by Ms. Czar, ~oved approval of the
minutes of Dec. 16, 1996. Mr. Old noted two correction -- the spelling of
Kevin Frazell's name and the reference to City Engineer Klayton Eckles.
Motion to approve the minutes as corrected passed unanimously.
Mr. Old expressed the Commission's appreciation to Ms. Maher for her
service as chairperson.
Update on meeting with Lieberman, Thole, Magnuson and Czar: There was
nothing new to report.
Mr. Old introduced guest speaker Kevin Frazell, Cottage Grove City
Administrator, who was invited to give a presentation regarding the
council-city manager form of government.
Mr. Frazell began by giving an historical perspective of the council-
manager plan. He also noted that in reviewing the City of Stillwater's
charter and codes, the city, for the most part, currently operates under
the council-manager plan. However, he cautioned there is a potential for
conflict in that the charter still leaves the executive powers to the
mayor, while the code leaves executive powers to the city coordinator. He
suggested that the charter be changed to eliminate that potential for
conflict.
Mr. Frazell then went through the ICMA's qualifications for the council-
manager plan, as well as pertinent Minnesota statutes. He noted that it is
possible to be a Home Rule Charter city and still have the council-manager
plan.
The role of the city manager has changed, Mr. Frazell said. Today, a city
manager does more than build budgets, he said. The manager, and elected
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officials, need to be vIsionaries. The manager needs to serve as a
facilitator, team builder, mediator, etc.
Regarding the authority to hire and fire staff, Mr. Frazell said he felt it is
important that the authority to fire people should fall to the elected
officials.
When asked if there is a downside to the council-manager plan, Mr. Frazell
said the structure doesn't fail, it is a matter of hiring the right person and
electing the right council members.
Following Mr. Frazell's presentation, Commission members discussed how
to proceed. Mr. Valsvik, seconded by Mr. Keister, moved to remain a Charter
City.
Ms. Maher will request city staff to order copies of the National Civic
League's model city charter. She said she could like to start talking with
council members about the issues involved. She noted that it was
Councilman Rich Cummings who suggested that the Commission might
want to look at the issue, and she said former Councilwoman Roberta
Opheim was supportive of a change to the manager plan.
Ms. Purcell suggested approaching the Council based on Mr. Cummings'
original suggestion. Ms. Purcell will prepare a draft letter for discussion
at the February meeting.
Mr. Keister suggested laying out on paper the definitions of the
mayor/manager plans and talking about the ramifications of changing to
the manager plan. Mr. Keister and Ms. Maher volunteered to prepare the
definitions for the February meeting.
Ms. Purcell, seconded by Ms. Czar, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9: 1 5
p.m.; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary