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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 03-24 CHCMMINUTES OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION MARCH 24, 1999 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by chair Wolter at 7:07 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Walter Bursch, Nancy Carlson,Elizabeth Hatle, James Holst, Sy Knapp, Harold Middleton, Eileen Oslund, Todd Paulson, Rodney Snyder, Tim Willson, and Carl Wolter. Dianne Sannes arrived at 7:25. Stan Leino arrived at 8:35. Members absent and excused: Jan Thielsen. Members absent: none 1 -\»:Z W.1y9s u11 1iy11�►y Motion by Bursch to approve the minutes of the January 27,1999 meeting as presented. Motion seconded by Holst and passed. OLD BUSINESS- General Chair Wolter reported that he has contacted Mayor Kragness to inquire whether the City Council conducted a performance review of the City Manager in 1998. Mayor Kragness advised Wolter that such a review was conducted. Chair Wolter reported that member Leino would be late to the meeting and that he has requested that discussion of the issue of electing City Councilmembers on a Ward basis instead of the current At -large basis be delayed until he arrived, and that if he doesn't arrive before the meeting ends, this issue be deferred to a future meeting. Knapp suggested that since there is a larger- than normal attendance tonight, the matter should be discussed tonight whether Leino arrives in time or not. Knapp moved to move the discussion of the issue regarding election of City Councilmembers to the last item on tonight's agenda. Motion seconded by Bursch and unanimously adopted. OLD BUSINESS- Reviewing Language of the Charter Snyder presented a report regarding the matter of "reviewing the language of the Charter to make it less negative citing several articles within the charter, then concluding that he does not recommend changing charter language unless it is the intent to also change the context of the articles in question. He continued by recommending that some way be established whereby "the City Council keeps the Charter Commission in the loop" regarding items such as communication between the City Council and the City Manager, as addressed in informal correspondence between this Commission and the City Council in January, 1996. Extended discussion of this matter followed. Paulson moved that the Charter Commission communicate to the City Council and the City Manager our recognition and appreciation of the actions which have been taken, regarding ongoing relationships between the City Council and the City p. 1 of 2 MINUTES OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION MARCH 24, 1999 Manager, in compliance with the four steps which this Commission informally recommended in January, 1996, i.e.:(1) annual establishment of goals and objectives, (2)annually agree on performance criteria and a process for performance reviews, (3)conduct of an annual performance review, and (4) consideration of the performance review when determining the City Manager's salary and contract term; and that the chair appoint a subcommittee to draft such letter, with such draft to be submitted to all Commission members for review and comment, and signature by all members when finalized. Motion seconded by Snyder and unanimously adopted. Chair Wolter appointed Snyder and Knapp to the subcommittee to draft this letter. OLD BUSINESS- Creation of an Ombudsman position Carlson moved to table the issue of creation of an Ombudsman for discussion at our mext meeting. Motion seconded by Hatle and unanimously adopted. OLD BUSINESS- Election of City Councilmembers "At- large" vs. "Ward" Leino presented a brief report regarding his evaluation of the two systems, noting that he generally prefers a hybrid system. Extensive discussion followed. Knapp moved that the issue of electing Councilmembers on a Ward basis instead of the current At -large basis be removed from the agenda until there is new information, new interest, or new language regarding this issue. Motion seconded by Hatle and passed. NEW BUSINESS Sannes reminded Commission members that we have pledged to participate in the City's Adopt- A- Park/Trail /Street program by conducting cleanups of Firehouse Park (located at Dupont Avenue and 65th Avenue North). Members wishing to participate should meet at the park at 9:30 on Saturday, April 24, 1999 (this is Earth Day!!!). 1999 MEETING SCHEDULE Chair Wolter reviewed the adopted schedule for remaining meetings in 1999, i.e.: June 23 and October 27. By concesus this schedule was left unchanged. ADJOURNMENT Holst moved that the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Motion seconded by Hatle and unanimously adopted. Respectfully, submitted Sy app rter Commission Secretary p. 2 of 2 chartercomm.Mar99