HomeMy WebLinkAbout19930819 Charter MinutesMINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION
CITX OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 19, 1993
Present: Tom Novak Denice Kehn
Pat Mathison Ken Harrington
Virginia Brawn Richard Myklebust
Edith Kaiser Michael McCabe
Guests: Dave Osberg - City Administrator
Shawn Moynihan - City Attorney
Mike Werner - Mayor
Nick Wasylik - Police Chief
Janice Johnson - Council Member
Ed Riveness - Council Member
Barb Thompson - City Clerk
ITEMS T & II
Ca11 to Order & uorum
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by
Chairperson Tom Novak, and he declared a quorum
present.
ITEM ZTI
Approval of Minutes
The August 19, 1993 minutes were distributed and
read by those present with the following addition:
Councilman Hicks was present and made his comments
about the At Large Council Terms.
ITEM IV
Unfinished Business:
It was reported that the City Council has approved,
by Ordinance, the various minor Charter amendments
approved by the Commission at its April 8, 1993
meeting.
Sta erin At Lar e Council Terms
Mayor Werner stated he has reservations about
changing this because it is relatively new to the
City, about 7 years. After same discussion, it was
decided it was far too early to decide if that
process is effective or not. It was determined
that everyone is satisfied with the way it is at
the present time.
3.06 - Law Enforcement,- Mayor
Under the present system the Mayor is the head (or
has certain authority) over the Police Department
as far as staff and the number of employees. The
Mayor is the appointing authority as to hiring and
firing under the Civil Service Rules and under the
Charter for all officers below the rank of Chief.
The Police Chief is answerable to the Mayor. The
Police Cavil Service Commission is a board of
people that are appointed to serve the City of
Hastings and operate under the State Statue.
There was discussion on the "language" of Section
3.06 and what it states. The following is what S.
Moynihan clarified that the present Charter
Commissian system is: The Mayor is in charge of
the "business" of the Police Department, the
Council decides the number of new officers through
the Budget Process. The Civil Service Commission
uses competitive examinations to determine the top
three candidates eligible for appointment to a
particular position. The only position the Mayor
cannot fill him/herself is the Chief's position.
The Mayor can make recommendations/nominations for
the Chief's position, but the entire council must
approve that candidate.
zt was stated that the system we have was tried,
graven and works and should remain. Nick Wasylik
commented on his position and his interaction with
the Mayor. Dave Osberg stated that he, the City
Administrator, Mayor and the Chief of Police work
very well together. Councilman E. Riveness stated
he thinks they axe doing a good job with the
present system.
D. Kehn made a motion to clarify the language in
paragraph 3.06, without changing the substance of
that paragraph. Seconded by E. Kaiser.
T. Novak stated that the next meeting will be held
to discuss the paragraph and clarify the language.
D. Osberg and S. Moynihan are to get clarification
of the language taken care of before the next
meeting.
The next meeting is October 1~, 1993 in the new
City Hall at 7:00 pm.
D. Kehn moved to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at
8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted: ~ ~~
Vae Johnson