Charter Revision Commission Meetings

Note: The minutes are DRAFT minutes until approved at the next meeting. MINUTES Thursday, May 9, 2013 Charter Revision 3:30 p.m. Commission Meetings Carnegie Town Hall 235 West 10th Street Members Present: Pauline Poletes, Dennis Aanenson, Dick Gregerson and De Knudson Members Absent: Robert Thimjon Staff Present: David Pfeifle, City Attorney; Lorie Hogstad, CMC, City Clerk; David Bixler, Budget Analyst; Jim David, Legislative/Operations Manager; and Tamara Jorgensen, CMC, Assistant City Clerk 1. Call To Order Commission Chair Pauline Poletes called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. 2. Approval Of Minutes A. September 20, 2012 A motion was made by Dick Gregerson and seconded by Dennis Aanenson to approve the minutes. Commission Chair Poletes called for a voice vote and all members present voted yes. Motion passed. 3. Old Business There was none. 4. New Business A. Ground Rules for Commission Votes - Majority vs. Super-Majority i. Public Input City Attorney David Pfeifle reviewed the ground rules for commission votes for placement of an item on the ballot. Pfeifle provided an update on the prior practice of using a ‘super majority vote’ (four of the five members) for an item for ballot placement. He stated that the ballot decisions/super majority votes would be determined at the January, 2014 Charter Meeting for items to be added to the April, 2014, ballot. B. Potential Proposals from Citizens, if any i. Public Input There was none. C. Potential Proposals from City Departments, if any i. Public Input There was none.  D. Potential Proposals from the City Council, if any i. Public Input Council Member Greg Jamison spoke and requested reconsideration of items submitted last year for review. After a brief discussion, it was determined that these topics can be brought back for additional review. These items will be reviewed at the Charter Revision Commission Meeting on September 12, 2013. Jamison will submit his proposals to Pfeifle for inclusion on this Agenda. Commission Member Bob Thimjon arrived at this time. E. Potential Proposals from the Charter Revision Commission, if any i. Public Input Pfeifle stated that there is a copy of the Model City Charter, Eighth Edition, available for review during the meeting and will be available at future meetings. Pfeifle clarified the list that was being reviewed by the Commission. It is a synopsis of items discussed at the working sessions and areas of the Charter where further analysis or inquiry was requested. A copy of the handout is attached to these minutes as the final page. The “updates” column reflects the action requested by the Commission for each item. The shaded areas represent Charter Sections that will be removed from further consideration by this Commission. Council Member Rex Rolfing spoke regarding Charter Section 2.01. He asked if the main power in the City Charter was given to the City Council. Discussion followed. Gregerson asked if “Conflicts of Interest” had been discussed and asked about the policy of the City Council when there is a conflict of interest. Pfeifle stated this information is provided in Section 7.01 and 7.02. Discussion followed. Gregerson asked about filing financial documents before a Council Member assumes a position. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Commission Member Bob Thimjon and seconded by Commission Member Dennis Aanenson to cancel the Charter Revision Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2013. 6. Adjournment A motion was made by De Knudson and seconded by Dennis Aanenson to adjourn the meeting at 4:25 p.m. Poletes called for a voice vote and all members present voted yes. Motion Passed. Tamara Jorgensen, CMC Assistant City Clerk  Attachment for Item 4E Charter Subject matter Inquiry/Discussion Updates Section 2.01 Legislative duties Should “legislative” duties be defined 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus vested with City within Charter is to remove this item from further Council consideration. 2.02 Terms of elected Should terminology be changed so that 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus office Councilors terms start the third meeting of is for the City Attorney to draft ballot the month of May rather than a specific language for review at the September day; allows flexibility if specific day of 12, 2013 Charter Revision meetings changed. Commission Meeting. 2.06 Vacancies; Attendance requirement based on regular 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus (c)(5) forfeitures of office monthly meeting; inquired whether to is to remove this item from further change to “regular meeting” to provide consideration. more strict attendance policy by Charter. 2.07 Council is judge of General inquiry whether second sentence 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus qualifications for on additional standards of conduct should is to remove this item from further holding office be reviewed by Commission consideration. 2.11(c) Voting States that a smaller number of 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus Councilors may adjourn from time to time is to remove this item from further and compel the attendance of absent consideration. members. Questioned whether any change needed. 2.14 Updating the Code Recodification every twenty years, should 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus of Ordinances it be changed to reflect 2012 as the last is for the City Attorney to draft ballot time it was completed. language for review at the September 12, 2013 Charter Revision Commission Meeting. 3.01 Powers of Mayor Should the Charter define 05/09/13: Add to CRC Agenda for “administrative”? September 12, 2013 3.02 Terms of office of Should it be changed to reflect third 05/09/13: After discussion, consensus Mayor meeting of the month, providing is for the City Attorney to draft ballot flexibility in case the specific day of the language for review at the September week for meetings changes. 12, 2013 Charter Revision Commission Meeting. 4.03 City Attorney Should termination of City Attorney also 05/09/13: Add to CRC Agenda for require City Council approval if during September 12, 2013 the four-year appointed term? 6.01 City Elections Inquiry into whether Charter should 05/09/13: Add to CRC Agenda for clarify that an at-large councilor must September 12, 2013 reside in City. Charter Section 2.06(c)(3) states it is a forfeiture of office for any City Councilor to fail to maintain residency in city limits, or within in their district if by district. Article Petitions General inquiry into whether it should be 05/09/13: Add to CRC Agenda for 8 reviewed further September 12, 2013