HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL Charter Resolution 20100310City of Hastings
Charter Resolution No. 2010-01
Resolution of the Charter Commission of the City of Hastings
Recommending Changes in the Hastings City Charter
Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement and Section 3.11: Powers and Duties
Of the City Administrator and Recommending these Amendments be Enacted by
Ordinance of the Hastings City Council
Date: March 10, 2010
Commissioner Jauquet introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
Whereas, the present Hastings City Charter Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement provides that “the Chief of Police shall be accountable to the Mayor for the administration, efficiency,
effectiveness and discipline of the police department and the deployment of police department personnel”; and
Whereas, the present Hastings City Charter Section 3.10: The City Administrator and Section 3.11: Powers and Duties of the City Administrator provide that the City Administrator “shall
be the chief administrative officer of the City” and “shall be responsible to the council for the administration of the City's affairs” and “shall exercise control over all departments
and divisions of the City Administration created by this charter or by the council, except the police department”; and
Whereas, the Charter Commission has met on January 13, 2010; February 3, 2010; February 25; 2010; and March 10, 2010 to discuss this issue; and
Whereas, at the meeting of February 3, Mayor Paul J. Hicks and City Administrator David M. Osberg attended and provided support for a charter amendment, and at the meeting of March 10,
2010, Police Chief Michael C. McMenomy and Police Civil Service Commission Chair Joseph Drexler attended and provided support for a charter amendment; and
Whereas, according to the League of Minnesota Cities, a local government membership organization that provides advocacy, education and training to local governments, of the 33 communities
the City compares itself to for compensation market review (which are cities in the seven county metro with a population between 15,000 – 35,000 and who report salaries in the League
of Minnesota Cities’ salary report), none have a mayor who is the head of the Police Department; and
Whereas¸ the structure of the mayor as head of the police department is unique and upon review by the Charter Commission, the Charter Commission has determined that the current Charter
Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement should be changed to more accurately reflect the professional operations of the police department and city administration; and
Whereas, the City has the position of City Administrator, which is a professional position hired on the basis of their training, experience and executive and administrative qualifications
and is responsible to the Council for the administration of the City’s affairs; and
Whereas, the City Council retains the right to appoint and remove all department heads and the change supported by the Charter Commission would result in a police chief being appointed
and removed by the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HASTINGS CHARTER COMMISSION AS FOLLOWS:
The Hastings Charter Commission recommends that the Hastings Home Rule Charter, Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement and Section 3.11-Powers and Duties of the City Administrator be amended
as shown on the attached Exhibit A.
The Hastings Charter Commission further recommends that the Hastings City Council adopt this charter amendment by ordinance in the manner provided by Minnesota Statute §410.12, Subd.
7.
The Hastings Charter Commission further recommends that the Hastings City Council form a Police Advisory Commission.
Commissioner Hoeschen made a second to the foregoing resolution.
Ayes: Braucks, Hoeschen, Holzem, Jauquet, Jones, Knak, O’Donnell, Olson and Vaughan
Nays: None
Absent: Blasing
Whereupon, the Chair declared the resolution to be duly passed.
Hastings Charter Commission
Mark Vaughan, Chair
Attest:
Melanie Mesko Lee
City Clerk