HomeMy WebLinkAbout19900712 Charter MinutesMIl~TUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION
CITY OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA
JULY 12, 1990
Present: Judy Gilbert Edith Kaiser Tom Novak
Earl Beltz Bob Stoneberg Pat Mathison
Virginia Brown
Absent: Device Kehn Agnes Kobierowski
Presiding Chairperson Edith Kaiser
Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:4Q p.m., by Chairperson Edith Kaiser and she
& Quorum: declared a quorum to be present.
Approval of Minutes of April ]2, 1990 meeting approved.
Minutes: Motion: Bob Stoneberg
Second: Judy Gilbert
Motion passed.
Acceptance of Resignations were submitted by Commissioners Rick Law, Dick Bond, Lucille Sieben,
Resignations: and Dick Lee. Motion was made by Pat Mathison and Seconded by Earl Beltz to
accept these resignations. So ordered.
Itcm I Discussion was held concerning the procedure to be used in reviewing the City Charter.
Discussion & The Commission felt that one section/article of the City Charter should be discussed
Procedure: until that particular section/article was resolved rather than trying to deal with all of
the issues ar revisions. It was felt that this procedure would be more efficient and
thorough.
Item II Chairperson Edith Kaiser opened the floor to discussion of the City Charter pertaining
Ethics Board to the ethics ordinance as compared to Northfield's City Charter. It was suggested that
MateriaL• perhaps a board or committee should be formed to deal with this issue. This item will
again be addressed at a later meeting.
Item III Assistant City Attorney, Shawn Moynihan, reviewed Chapter III & N of the City
Review of Chaptcr Charter. Discussion was held on Section 3.ll pertaining to the Powers and Duties of
III & Chapter IV the CityAdministrator.Commissioner Stoneberg brought to the Commission's attention
that in the beginning of Chapter III it states that the form of government established
by this Charter is a Mayoral/Council plan but he felt the type of government we have
is known as the "weak" Mayoral/Council plan because of the wording "all executive
powers and all administrative powers of the City of Hastings shall rest in and be
exercised by the City Council". He added that in a "strong" Mayoral/Council Plan the
Mayor is in charge of administration. It was felt that more time should be spent on this
item,
Chairperson Kaiser suggested that the application for Councilperson-at-large should
be reviewed because she felt that there were confusing items that should be cIarii-led.
Commissioner Stoneberg suggested that Section 3.08 concerning a biennial audit be
another item on the agenda for an amendment or deletion.
City of Hastings Charter Commission Minutes
7uly ~, 1990
rage Two
Item III Mr. Moynihan continued with his review of Chapter IV explaining that Chapter III
(continued) sets up the form of government while Chapter N then explains how the government,
in basic terms, is going to function by setting up meetings, schedules, how often the
meetings take place, the agenda, haw to get things on the agenda, various officers of
the city. He suggested that Section 4.035 be clarified and should be addressed later.
Chairperson Edith Kaiser asked Mr. Moynihan for clarification of the term "Substantial
Finane'ral Interest" as referred to in Section 4.09. The commission felt that this term
was too broad and could encompass many things. Mr. Moynihan pointed out that when
this was addressed previously it was painted out that there was a difference between
a financial interest and abias/strong interest in a particular cause, and the Commission
wanted to deal with those that would gain monetarily. Mr. Moynihan stated that anyone
violating this Section concerning "conflict of interest" would be guihy of a gross
misdemeanor. The Commission would again address this issue at another meeting.
Item IV
Unfinished
Business: None
Item V
New Business: None
Item VI
Adjournment: Motion: Tam Novak
Second: Earl Beltz
Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Next Meeting: October 11, 199Q. Review of Chapters V, VI, & VII.
Respectfully submitt