HomeMy WebLinkAbout19840426 Charter MinutesHASTINGS CHARTER CDMMI$$ION
Special Meeting: Thursday, April 26, 1984
PRESENT: Janice Johnson
taint Hartman
Dick Dobrick
Sharon Avent
Chuck Caturia
Jeanne McGree
OTHER PRESENT: Mayor Lu
strator,
Gazette),
Stoffel, Earl Beltz,
Jamie Master (KDWA},
and Bev Bacon.
Merle Knutson
B. H. Wirt
Todd Manske
Carol Wynn
Don Kramlinger
Gary Brawn-City Admini-
Mike O'Connor (Star/
I. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Chuck Caturia at
7:36 p.m.
2. WARD REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Todd Manske, Chairperson of the Ward Representation Committee
presented the findings and recommendations of the committee
included: Carol Wynn, taint Hartman, Jeanne McGree, and Todd
Manske}.- The committee directed it's efforts on examining
the re-structuring of the size of the city council and number
of wards needed to represent the citizens of Hastings.
FINDING AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. If we continue with the present four ward system, the com-
mittee recommended that the council size be changed to
have one person per ward and the mayor would have full
voting powers on the city council.
2. If we adopt a five ward system, the committee recommended
that the council size be changed to have one person per
ward and the mayor would retain his/her current powers on
the council.
RATIONALE:
The primary reasons for reducing the council membership were:
1. Enhance efficiency;
2. Easier and less confusing identification of council persons
by residents;
3. Greater accountability to residents;
4. It's the trend, especially with cities in Minnesota who are
about our same size.
3. MOTION TO CHANGE WARD BOUNDARIES
A motion to change the existing four ward boundaries to the pro-
posed four ward boundaries as presented by Dick Dobrick was
unanimously approved by the Commission.
MOTION: Dick Dobrick
SECOND: B. H. Wirt
The Charter Commission requested the City Administrator inform
the city Council of the ward boundary changes at their May 7,
1984 city council meeting.
4. MOTION TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF WARDS, BOUNDARIES, AND REPRESENTATION
The Charter Commission approved a motion to change the number
of wards to five wards, with one representative elected per ward.
(The new boundarie of the five wards were presented by Dick Dobrick-
praposal number 6.~
-2-
MOTION: Don Kramlinger
SECOND: Dick Dobrick
Vote On Motion: J. Johnson yes
w. Hartman yes
D. Dabrick yes
S. Avent yes
C. Caturia yes
J. McGree yes
M. Knutson yes
B. H, Wirt no
T. Manske yes
C. Wynn yes
D. Kramlinger yes
The Commission requested the City Administrator research the
following issues and be prepared to respond to these issues at
our next commission meeting. If legal counsel is needed, the
City Administrator will be responsible far obtaining necessary
legal counsel assistance. The following issues were identified:
1. Interpretation of the 51% voting rule;
2. Procedures far implementation of the proposed changeover from
a four ward system to a five ward system, and the correspond-
ing reduction of elected representatives from 2 members/ward
to 1 member/ward.
3. If someone is running far a council seat this fall, will they
be running far a two year position or a four year position.
(reference MSA 410.11)
4. The City Administrator will prepare a timeline and identify
what activities and functions need to be performed ar completed
in order to conduct a special election regarding the proposed
ward changes and elected representation changes.
5. ESTABLISH A SUBCOMMITTEE REGARDING MAYORAL POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Charter Commission approved a motion to establish a sub-
committee who would be responsible for examining, analyzing and
recommending, if appropriate, the re-structuring of the powers of
the Office of the Mayor. This sub-committee is responsible far
abiding by the "Open Meeting Law".
MOTION: Todd Manske
SECOND: Janice Johnson
Vote On Motion: J.
w.
D.
S,
C.
J.
M.
B.
T.
C.
D.
Johnson yes
Hartman yes
Dobrick yes
Avent no
Caturia yes
McGree yes
Knutson yes
H. Wirt no
Manske yes
Wynn yes
Kramlinger yes
The following members were appointed to this sub-committee:
Todd Manske, Sharon Avent, and Wint Hartman.
6. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 10, 1984
7. Meeting Adjourned at 9:31 p.m. ~
Respectfully Submitted, Donald K K~~~ng~ ecre ary