Charter Revision Commission Meetings

MINUTES Wednesday, December 6, 2017 4 PM Charter Revision Carnegie Town Hall Commission Meeting 235 West Tenth Street Members Present: Robert Thimjon, Pauline Poletes, Sue Aguilar, Jill Entenman, Justin Smith Members Absent: None Staff Present: Daniel J. Brown, Assistant City Attorney; and Cari Hanzel, Paralegal/Clerk 1. Call To Order Commission Chair Robert Thimjon called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Approval Of Minutes A. November 15, 2017 A motion was made by Justin Smith and seconded by Pauline Poletes to approve the minutes dated November 15, 2017. Commission Chair Thimjon called for a voice vote. All members voted yes. Motion Passed. 3. Old Business A. Charter Article II - City Council 1) Presented Amendment RE: Election by Plurality o Section 2.02. Composition, eligibility, election, and terms, (c) Election and terms 2) Presented Amendment RE: Voting on Sales Tax Revenue Bonds o Section 2.11 Procedure, (c) voting Thimjon asked the Commission if there was a desire to further consider the two previously-presented amendments under Article II - City Council. There was no motion for further consideration. B. Charter Article III - Mayor  3) Presented Amendment RE: Election by Majority o Section 3.02 Election and qualifications of mayor Thimjon asked the Commission if there was a desire to further consider the previously-presented amendment under Article III - Mayor. There was no motion for further consideration. 4. New Business A. Charter Article VII - General Provisions No comments or suggestions were made. B. Charter Article VIII - Charter Amendment No comments or suggestions were made. C. Charter Article IX - Transition/Separability Commission Member Sue Aguilar requested that the Commission take a look at Section 9.05 (f), Salary of Mayor and Council Members, to determine if the method for setting the salaries is comparable to contemporary methods used elsewhere. She provided historical and current background information regarding salaries for the mayor and council members. Commission Member Justin Smith noted that the City Council may have a better opportunity to conduct an in-depth study of the issue and to propose an amendment to the charter. Aguilar pointed out that past council members have also noted the salary disparity and she recommended that the Commission maintain visibility on the issue. Thimjon noted that after 22 years simply adjusting salaries for inflation may not be appropriate so further study would be useful. During the discussion it was noted that the deadline for any Charter Amendments is February 9, 2018. Thimjon provided an opportunity for public input at this time. Council Member Greg Neitzert expressed concern about the Council determining the basis for its own pay raise. He recommended such an amendment be proposed by an independent body relying upon a study. Dale Froehlich acknowledged that a review of the mayoral and council member salaries may be warranted. He also provided background on the intent behind the salary provision as presented in the original charter. He urged the city council to have human resources facilitate a wage study by outside experts. He also  recommended that if the council proposes any salary change its effective date should be delayed to a future council. A brief discussion about how other political subdivisions set salaries, presentation of amendments on the ballot, and the powers of the Commission followed. Council Member Rex Rolfing expressed support for a change to the salary provision for future mayors and council members to include special pay for council leadership. He stated the City Council Budget Analyst, Dave Bixler, can conduct research to compare salaries to comparable forms of government in the region. Bixler stated that he could provide information by the next Commission meeting which is scheduled for December 20, 2017. The Commission agreed that Section 9.05 (f) would be an item on the December 20th agenda. Smith expressed concern that it may be difficult to fully study the matter and draft an amendment in time for the next election. Thimjon acknowledged the concern and noted that the Commission will at least be able to get started on the topic. 5. Public Input Input was provided during item 4.C. 6. Open Discussion There was none. 7. Adjournment Commission Chair Robert Thimjon adjourned the meeting at 4:33 p.m. Thomas M. Greco City Clerk