Charter Revision Commission Meetings

MINUTES Charter Revision Commission Meeting Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Commission Members Present: Catherine Dekkenga, Anne Hajek, Lawrence Long, Carl Zylstra Commission Members Absent: Eric Erickson 2. Approval of Minutes A. November 29, 2023 A motion was made by Commission Member Zylstra and seconded by Commission Member Long to approve the minutes of November 29, 2023. Voice vote to approve. 4 Yes: Dekkenga, Hajek, Long, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 3. Old Business A. 1) Formal Recommendation #3 by Carl Zylstra: Making City Council Responsible for Setting Compensation of Elected Officials (Sections 2.04 and 9.05) - Deferred from November 29, 2023 Meeting Zylstra reviewed his amended recommendation to Section 2.04, giving the city council the ability to determine the annual salary of the mayor and council members by ordinance, and setting effective dates. Input was received from David Zokaites regarding this topic. Input was received from City Council Chair Marshall Selberg regarding this topic. The Charter Revision Commission discussed the model charter commentary in the 8th and 9th editions where they rejected the notion that the charter should set actual salary as that was only intended for an initial charter when first adopted. They also discussed the last time this issue was placed on the ballot in 2022 via ordinance and was defeated. It was noted that a super majority vote is required (4) for this item to be put on the ballot. Discussion was held regarding the effective date of the pay changes due to the staggered terms, inflation values, etc. Concern was expressed about the City Council setting the salary for the Mayor’s position. A motion was made by Commission Member Long and seconded by Zylstra to place this item on the 2024 ballot.  Roll call vote to place. 2 Yes: Long, Zylstra; 2 No: Dekkenga, Hajek. Motion Failed. 2) Formal Recommendation #7 by David Zokaites: Balancing Elected Officials Pay (Section 9.05). The Chair opened the floor to public input on Formal Recommendation #7. There was none. A motion was made by Commission Member Long and seconded by Commission Member Dekkenga to reject this item being placed on the 2024 ballot. No further discussion was had. Roll call vote to reject placing on ballot. 4 Yes: Dekkenga, Hajek, Long, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. B. List of Formal Recommendations for Revision to the Sioux Falls Charter to be Maintained (The items on this list will be addressed at a future meeting and will be placed on the relevant Agenda at that time.) There are no recommendations to move forward to the City Council. 4. New Business A. Formal Recommendation #6 by David Zokaites: Allowing Councilors to Become Mayor (Section 2.05) Pfeifle provided clarification to Section 2.05 regarding Council Members holding other elected public offices during the term if elected to the Council. A motion was made by Commission Member Zylstra and seconded by Commission Member Long to place this item on the 2024 ballot. Roll call vote to place. 0 Yes: (None); 4 No: Dekkenga, Hajek, Long, Zylstra. Motion Failed. 5. Public Input David Zokaites spoke about allowing City Councilors to become Mayor. Hajek acknowledged the written submissions of citizen Mike Zitterich as public input and expressed appreciation to him for his participation and his contributions to the Charter Revision Commission meetings. She noted that his documentation/comments are available for the public. 6. Open Discussion Zylstra expressed the appreciation of the Commission to Hajek for serving as the Chair of the Charter Revision Commission. He complimented her on her  leadership skills, her ability to run the meetings, and on her openness and encouragement to the public to become involved. Hajek expressed appreciation to the staff for their assistance in handling all of the meetings and organizational activities. She reminded the audience that the final meeting will be on Monday, January 8, 2024. Pfeifle reminded the Commission that items can be placed on the ballot via a report from the Charter Revision Commission to the city election authorities. However, if there is nothing to place on the ballot, there is no need for a report. Citizens can also add an item to the ballot by the petition process or by ordinance submitted by the City Council. 7. Adjournment A motion was made by Commission Member Long and seconded by Vice Chair Dekkenga to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Voice vote to adjourn. 4 Yes: Dekkenga, Hajek, Long, Zylstra; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Tamara Jorgensen, Assistant City Clerk Future Charter Revision Commission Meetings: January 8, 2024 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W. 10th Street