Charter Revision Commission Meetings

Minutes Charter Revision Commission Meeting Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Commission Members Present: Anne Hajek, Pauline Poletes, Justin Smith, Robert Thimjon, Carl Zylstra Commission Members Absent: None Committee Chair Robert Thimjon called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. Introduction A. Members The members of the Charter Revision Commission introduced themselves. B. Organization and Background Information City Attorney Stacey Kooistra provided background information regarding the organization of the Charter Revision Commission. 3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair A motion was made by Commission Member Thimjon and seconded by Commission Member Hajek to approve the nomination of Justin Smith for the Chair position and Pauline Poletes for the Vice Chair position. Voice vote to approve. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. At this time, newly elected Justin Smith assumed the Chair position. 4. Approval of Minutes A. Wednesday, September 12, 2018 A motion was made by Commission Member Thimjon and seconded by Commission Member Poletes to approve the minutes. Voice vote to approve. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 5. Old Business  A. Charter Article IX - Transition/Separability Section 9.05. Schedule, (f) salary of mayor and council members The mayor's salary having been established in the amount of $75,000 by this provision in 1995, each other council member shall receive an annual salary in the amount of fifteen (15) percent of the mayor's salary. The mayor's salary shall automatically be adjusted annually for inflation or deflation with each other council persons salary thereafter adjusted to be equal to fifteen (15) percent of the major's new adjusted salary. No meeting fees shall be paid to the mayor nor city council members. Discussion was held regarding the past reasons why this was brought forward for consideration. The item is being deferred to allow the new members an opportunity to research the background information and prior conversations on this topic. Commission members will review past minutes and/or web-streaming records of the previous discussions. Discussion was held regarding the increase in the amount of time needed to perform City Council job duties and the need to review this section for a proposed amendment. Smith invited members of the public to comment on this item. Council Member Greg Neitzert provided background data regarding the need to review this item. Neitzert requested taking a lot of time to review the information and that there was no rush for this item to be added to a ballot. He recommended that the item be structured in such a way as to not impact the existing Council. Council Member Janet Brekke spoke regarding a reference in previous minutes to a survey being conducted. She recommended the Commissioners review that information as well. A motion was made by Commission Member Thimjon and seconded by Commission Member Poletes to defer Item 5A to the next scheduled Charter Revision Commission Meeting. Voice vote to defer. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 6. New Business A. Outline of Commission Meeting Timeline Discussion was held regarding the divisions of the Charter and when they would be scheduled for discussion at future meetings; the deadline for Charter items that may go on the 2020 ballot; the process for adding items to the ballot; reviewing three Charter articles per meeting; public input on recommendations; review of rules regarding proposed Charter revisions; investigating issues; whether or not the Commission can make ordinance recommendations to the City Council; and the scope of responsibility.  A motion was made by Commission Member Hajek and seconded by Committee Member Zylstra to approve conducting a minimum of three Charter Commission Meetings in 2019 covering three Charter sections per meeting. Voice vote to approve. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. B. Consideration of When to Extend Invitations for Input to the Mayor, City Council Members, City Directors and Others Discussion was held regarding whether or not to invite the individuals who originally framed the Charter for the City of Sioux Falls to present at a future meeting. After discussion, the Commissioners decided they would review a past web-streamed meeting containing a presentation by the original framers of the Charter and therefore it would not be necessary to invite them back again at this time. It is noted that invitations are not necessary for any other officials as they may attend any Charter Revision Commission Meetings. C. Ground Rules of Commission Votes - Majority vs. Super-Majority Discussion was held regarding the voting process for giving consideration to proposed Charter amendments. A motion was made by Commission Member Thimjon and seconded by Commission Member Hajek to use the Majority vote for items to pass for consideration, but a Super Majority vote would be required for items to be added to the ballot. Voice vote to approve. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. D. Discussion of Future Meeting Dates Discussion was held regarding reviewing three articles of the Charter, in reverse order, for the meetings. A request was made for an overstruck/under scored copy of the original Charter. Discussion was held regarding meeting attendance telephonically if a member is unable to attend in person. A motion was made by Commission Member Poletes and seconded by Commission Member Hajek to approve the following schedule for future Charter Revision Commission Meetings: Thursday, July 18; Wednesday, August 28; Wednesday, September 11; Wednesday, October 16; Wednesday, November 6 and Wednesday, December 11. All of the meetings will start at 4 p.m. at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. 10th Street. Voice vote to approve. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 7. Public Input John Matthius spoke about the intentions of the original Charter; plurality voting; Council voting on ordinances, resolutions, etc. and the Mayor's power in conducting tie votes; the votes needed for multimillion dollar bonding; debt issues for taxpayers and the City Attorney position becoming an elected position vs. an appointed position. 8. Open Discussion There was none. 9. Adjournment A motion was made by Commission Member Hajek and seconded by Commission Member Poletes to adjourn the meeting at 5 p.m. Voice vote to adjourn. 5 Yes: Hajek, Poletes, Smith, Thimjon, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Tamara Jorgensen, MMC, Assistant City Clerk Future Charter Revision Commission Meetings: Thursday, July 18, 2019 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 All of the meetings will start at 4 p.m. at the Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. 10th Street.