HomeMy WebLinkAbout19851212 Charter MinutesMinutes of December 12, 1985 Charter Commission Aleeting
The meeting was called to order by ~. Caturia at 7x45 in the City
Hall Council Chambers.
Those in attendance were Jeanne NlcGree, ~. Caturia, D. Dobrick, E. Beltz,
N#arie Bolden, 4V. Ha.rtman and Janice Johnson. ~~T~sent: Sharon Avent,
J. Gilbert and Mike Hovegaard.
Janice Johnson moved to accept the minutes with E. Beltz seconding.
It is here noted by J. McGree that M. Bolden was not in attendance.
Public : Mike V~arne r
Janice Johnson will be Recording Secretary.
M. Bolden questioned her sitting on the Commission with her term
expiring? W. Hartman stated that the person way allowed to sit until
a successor was appointed.
C. Caturia asked for reports from the Commissioners on the cities
that were contacted.
Wint Hartman --- Hopkins
1. Five member council - 4 at large elected every four years
and the mayor is a member of the council.
2. City Manager form of govt.
3. Mayor every two years - 2 councilpersons every two ,years
4. Mayor uses conference room to meek with people
5. Mayor has no administrative functi an -- all requests go
through Cite Manager,
6. Mayor follows exact published agenda -~ votes on every
issue with no veto power
7. agenda set on Thursday for a Tuesday meeting
8. Council has wank sessions --- open to public
9. Change in C~.arter makes City Manager Police Chief and
head of P.D. is known as Chief.
Dick Dobrick --- Anoka
1, five member council - 4-at large and mayor
2. N'ayor -- two terms - votes on every issue - no veteo power
3. City Tanager form of govt.
4. Grientatian for cant.dates before election and all new
members.
5. Mayor can originate and second u~ations
6. City 11~anager hires and fires
7. Police Chief appointed by City Manager follows same
policies anal rules as other city employees.
Earl Beltz -- ItTorthfield
1. Three wards - 1 person per ward -- 3 at-large
2. Nayar has right to vote with no veto power
~. Cityy Administrator in charge of F.D.
After the reports C. Caturia asked that th.e pros and eons be sorted
out and come to a canc~usion as to the appropriate farm of govt.
or to keep the present farm
Dick Dobrick made the following recommendations;
1. Five member council
2. Mayor votes on every issue with na veto power
3. Four year term for mayor
4. Four year terms for council members with two council persons
elected alternating years as not to have a complete new
council every four years.
5. City Manager form of govt.
6. City Manager answers to council.
7. Police Chief an employee and reports to the City Manager
8. Mayor a member of Council.
Mike Warner questioned the ref~~'ndum vote on Charter changes.
Janice Johnson ,stated that it was 51~ voting on the issue and not
51/ voting in the general election.
C. Caturia asked for comments from M. Warner about the ward system
and at-large representation.
Comments from M. Warner:
1. At large because they will look at what is best for the
whole city.
2. Reduce to four members - all at large.
3. Ward system - two people per ward no matter how many
wards there are.
4. No feelings as to mayor voting on every issue.
5. Takes at least two years to learn the ways of the City.
6. Alternating years of electing City Council persons as not to
have all new people at once.
7. All Council persons from same area will vote far their
immediate area.
C. Caturia asked M. Warner about the feelings of the City Council
to any changes.
Mike IrJarner stated that the City Council would not vote unanimously
on change because they do not agree on every issue now. He also
stated there is a possiblility of putting the Police ~epts under
the City Administrator.
Mike Warner suggested having all changes by Council or referendum
done before the next election.
It was proposed to lei the Council vote on all the changes and not.
to separate the issues that the Commission feels will pass the
City Council. Those not voted on by Council will be put on a
referendum vote.
Various things wexe brought up for discussion:
Earl Belts -- sit down with Council members on a one-to-one bases
and discuss the issues.
W. Hartman -- appoint a sub-committee to study various issues on
ward representation and report to the commission.
Janice Johnson stated that there has been enough information given
that we should be able to come to a decision.
The need for the replacement of two members was brought up i'or
discussion. C. Caturia will take the matter up with Gary Brown,
The lack of attendance at the Charter meetings was also brought
up for discussion. The need for all Commission members to
attend. is very important these coming months to take care of
these pressing matters.
M. Bolden will prepare a statement of policy for the next meeting.
D. Dobrick will prepare the Charter Commission's annual report
to the Judge ~- using the minutes on file with the City.
~~fint ~~artman moved for adjournment with PSI. Bolden seconding.
Next meeting. is scheduled for January 9, x:986.
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