Charter Revision Commission Meetings

NOTE: Minutes are considered draft until approved at the next meeting. MINUTES Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Charter Revision 4 PM at Carnegie Town Hall Commission Meeting 235 West Tenth Street Members Present: Sue Aguilar, Jill Entenman, Pauline Poletes, Justin Smith and Robert Thimjon Members Absent: None Staff Present: David Pfeifle, City Attorney; and Cari Hanzel, Paralegal/Clerk 1. Call To Order Robert Thimjon called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Introduction A. Members City Attorney David Pfeifle provided opening remarks and welcomed the new members. B. Organization and Background Information Pfeifle discussed background information regarding the Charter Revision Commission Meeting. A motion was made by Committee Member Pauline Poletes and seconded by Committee Member Justin Smith to nominate Robert Thimjon as the Chair for the Charter Revision Commission. Vote to approve: Roll Call: Yeses, Sue Aguilar, Jill Entenman, Pauline Poletes, Justin Smith, Robert Thimjon, 5. Noes, 0. Motion Passed. A motion was made by Committee Member Jill Entenman and seconded by Committee Member Justin Smith to nominate Sue Aguilar as the Vice Chair for the Charter Revision Commission. Vote to approve: Roll Call: Yeses, Sue Aguilar, Jill Entenman, Pauline Poletes, Justin Smith, Robert Thimjon, 5. Noes, 0. Motion Passed. 3. New Business A. Outline of Commission Meeting Timeline Thimjon reviewed the process and purpose of the Charter Revision Commission. He cited past examples of reviewing the Charter. After discussion, the decision was made to address three separate articles of the Charter at each meeting as indicated: Wednesday, October 14, 2015: Charter – Articles I, II and III Thursday, November 12, 2015: Charter – Articles IV, V and VI Wednesday, December 9, 2015: Charter – Articles VII, VIII and IX Wednesday, January 6, 2016: Wrap Up Meeting All meetings will be held at 4 p.m. at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. 10th Street. B. Consideration of whether and/or when to extend invitations for input to the Mayor, City Council Members, and City Directors Input can be received for the Articles as they are noted on the Agendas. The Mayor, City Council Members, City Directors and the public can provide input for a particular Article on the dates as indicated. Thimjon asked the committee to review the meeting attachments and be prepared in advance of the meetings. These attachments will be available online on SIRE. Pfeifle added that the City Charter is also available on the City Attorney’s website and the City Clerk’s website at www.siouxfalls.org. Thimjon reminded the Commission that all items will be discussed thoroughly; after which, the Commission will need to determine which items need to move forward for ballot consideration. C. Ground Rules of Commission Votes - Majority vs. Super-Majority Pfeifle stated that a majority vote of the Charter Revision Commission is three votes and a super-majority vote is four. He recommended that a super-majority vote be required (as a ground rule) before an item is added to the ballot. A motion was made by Justin Smith and seconded by Sue Aguilar requiring a super majority vote on an item before it can be added to the ballot. A voice vote was taken. All members voted yes.  Motion Passed. D. Discussion of Future Meeting Dates Item discussed in Section 3A. 4. Public Input Greg Neitzert spoke regarding Article VI regarding initiatives and referendums. He recommended making ballot language as succinct as possible. Neitzert requested that ballot question committees get a chance to review ballot language before it is finalized. Bruce Danielson spoke regarding the following topics: ballot language on the last election ballot and the City Attorney's explanation of ballot language; the appointment process for City Boards and Commissions; direct election of the City Attorney position; changing the Charter so the chair of the City Council leads all City Council Meetings; and Initiative and Referendum; Petition Drives. Thimjon stated there will be a time limitation in the future on public input. 5. Adjournment Thimjon adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m. Tamara Jorgensen, MMC Assistant City Clerk