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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-15 CHC MIN s water The(Birthplace of Minnesota CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES September 15, 2014 MEETING Chair Carter called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present: Chair Carter, Commissioners Markowitz, Milbrandt, Swanson and Zoller Absent: Commissioners Juelich, McLellan, Nelson and Ratte APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Milbrandt, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, to approve the April 21, 2014 meeting minutes. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Clarification of Section 5.04 (Abstentions) Chair Carter led discussion on three wording options provided by the City Attorney for possible revisions to this section. Motion by Commissioner Milbrandt, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, to adopt Option 3 to read as follows: "Three members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. No action of the Council, except as otherwise provided in §5.03e, or when filling a vacancy in the Council, shall be valid unless adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum." All in favor. Clarification of Section 5.06 (Second Position) Chair Carter reviewed wording governing holding other offices. The Commission noted that employees of the library are paid out of City funds, but unlike the library, employees of the Water Board are not paid out of City funds. Members of the Water Board receive no compensation. Commissioner Zoller suggested identifying employees of the Water Board and employees of the library as being unable to hold City Council office. Motion by Commissioner Zoller, seconded by Commissioner Milbrandt, to adopt the following wording for Section 5.06, Holding Other Offices: "No member of the Council shall hold any other City employment or employment by the Water Board or the Library. Neither may the Councilmember be elected or appointed to any office created or the compensation of which is increased by the Council while a member thereof until one year after the expiration of the term for which the member was elected." All in favor. Charter Commission Meeting September 15, 2014 Clarification of Section 13.08 (Treasurer of Water Board/Finance Director) Chair Carter remarked there is no formal "City Treasurer." He suggested deferring a recommendation on wording for this section until the City Administrator can clarify who performs treasurer duties. Commissioner Milbrandt noted the City has a Finance Director but does not have a City Treasurer. He agreed the Commission should ask the City Administrator for clarification. Chair Carter agreed to contact the City Administrator. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Markowitz has been appointed by Judge Hoffman Chair Carter congratulated Commissioner Markowitz on her appointment to the Commission. Recall Provision Chair Carter noted that Commissioner Ratte suggested the Commission discuss a possible recall provision, in response to a situation in another community in which a City Council member is prohibited from talking to any City employees because of disrespectful communications. Commissioner Zoller stated the Commission could see how other municipalities handle the issue. Commissioner Milbrandt responded that the issue could have a lot of gray areas. Commissioner Swanson questioned the legality of a City Council prohibiting a member from communicating with City employees. Commissioner Zoller commented that if a citizen starts harassing a City employee, the employee can get a restraining order, which would probably apply to Councilmembers as well if they were perpetrating the harassment. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Milbrandt, seconded by Commissioner Swanson,to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Julie Kink Recording Secretary Page 2 of 2