HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100113 Charter Notes
City of Hastings
Charter Commission
Meeting Notes
Wednesday January 13, 2010 7:00 p.m.
I. Introduction of Charter Commission Members
Present: Kevin Hoeschen, Fran Jauquet, Nancy Olsen, Lori Baucks, Kelly O?Donnell,
Connie Blasing, Mark Vaughan
Staff: Dave Osberg, Melanie Mesko Lee
Each member introduced themselves. Members were thanked for their involvement in
the commission. Osberg provided a brief overview of the City of Hastings?
organizational structure as a degree of context for the commission.
II. Review of the Basic concepts of a Charter City Vs. Statutory City
A handout from the League of Minnesota Cities was distributed; Mesko Lee provided a
brief overview of the different powers of charter cities and it was noted that a charter is
essentially a local constitution.
III. Past activities of the Charter Commission
Osberg provided a review of past activities of previous charter commission activities,
including redistricting, housekeeping/language corrections, and structural changes and/or
proposals over the years
IV. Synopsis of the Existing City Charter
The Commission went through a brief page-by-page review of the contents of the
Charter, with notations and context on how some of the provisions had been used and/or
reviewed in the past.
V. Next Task/Projects
a.) Chapter Review
There was discussion that a thorough review of the Charter would be an
appropriate task for the Charter Commission to consider
b.) Mayor?s consideration of the review of Chapter 3.06 MAYOR-LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
Mayor Hicks has asked the Charter Commission to consider and review the
current Chapter 3.06, which vests authority of the Police Department in the
position of the Mayor. There was discussion about the request and the
commission requested additional information from staff for a future meeting
including perspective on the historical structure of the department, comparisons
and context with how this is addressed in other cities. The commission suggested
it would be helpful if the Mayor could attend a future meeting and provide some
additional information to the commission.
c.) Redistricting following the 2010 Census
This will occur in early-mid 2011.
d.) Other topics
VI. Meeting Schedule
The commission agreed to meet the following days:
?
Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m.
?
Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m.
?
Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.
?
Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m.
VII. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
This item was deferred to the end of the February 3 meeting
VIII. Other Questions or Issues
IX. Adjourn 8:45 p.m.