HomeMy WebLinkAbout19990401 Memo to City CouncilVIII~C-1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Cour~cilmembers
FROM: Dave Osberg, City Administrator
DATE: April 'i, '1999
SUBJECT; Charter Commission Amendment
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
It is recommended #hat the City Council take action approving the first reading and scheduling a
public hearing for Monday Apri[ 19, 1999 on the proposed amendment to the City Charter,
Section 3,08.
BACKGROUND
At its last meeting on January 21, 1999 the Cify Charter Commission adapted the attached
Resolution making a recommendation that the City Charter, Section 3.08 be changed. The
suggested change results in the word "interim" being added to the body of the Charter, as it is
already included in the heading of Section 3.08 of the City Charter. In addition, a change is made
in the Char#er, giving the power only to a majority of the City Council to call for interim
investigations and the other powers outlined in the Charter, section 3.08.
Previous City Charter changes granted the Mayor the opportunity to vote, and by placing the
Mayor on more equal terms with the balance of the City Council, this is a provision that may have
been neglected when changes were made in the authority of the Mayor. Without a change in the
City Charter as proposed, the possibility exists for a Mayor to conduct interim investigations and
exercise the o#her powers, with na opportunity for the full City Council to debate the merits of
such action. A change in the City Charter places the responsibility on the majority of the City
Council,-which may or may not include the Mayor.
One foo#note, that is not included in the proposed ordinance, and not one #hat the City Charter
Commission discussed, as 1 only now contemplated this option: Consideration might be given to
inserting the word "Entire" in front of Council, so it is clear that a majority of all City
Councilmembers, not simply those present at a given meeting, must vote in support of the
motion.
With approval of the first reading, the second reading and public hearing will be scheduled for
Monday Ag~il 19, 1999.
David M. Osberg
City Administrator
cc. Terry/~jel~n, Charter Commission Chair
RESOLUTION
Hastings Charter Commission
January 21, 1999
Commissioner introduced the fallowing Resolution and moved its
adoption;
WHEREAS, The Has#ings Charter Conunission has conducted an extensive review of Chapter III
NORM OF GOVERNMENT of the City Chai~er; and
WHEREAS, The Hastings Charter Commission has determined that a change is needed in
Chapter III, Section 3.08 "Interim Investigation, Study and Policy Committees."; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HASTINGS CITY CHARTER
COMMISSION THAT THE)i'OLLOWING CHANGE BE MADE IN SECTION 3.08 OF THE
CITY CHARTER:
"The Council by a majority vote, ~ shall have the power to make interim
investigations into all City affairs, to subpoena witnesses, to administer oaths, to compel the production of
books and papers, and to demand reports from department heads on thew respective departments'
operations. "
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hastings City Charter Commission recommends that
the Hastings City Council adopt this proposed Charter Amendment by ordinance, in the manner allowed by
Minnesota State Statute 410.12, Subdivision 7.
Conunissioner seconded the foregoing Resolution and upon put to a vote,
the Resolution was adopted by the Charter Commission members present at the meeting.
1999.
WHEREUPON, the Chair declared this Resolution to be duly passed this 21St Day of January,
Chair
City Adminish•ator