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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 04-24 CHCMBROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION APRIL 24, 1996 7 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Willson at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Ulyssess Boyd, Nancy Carlson, Sy Knapp, Eileen Oslund, Todd Paulson, Rodney Snyder, Diane Swanson, Tim Willson, and Carl Wolter Members absent and excused: Tony Kuefler, Eric Marquardt, Janice Thielsen Members absent and unexcused: Bob Mickelson, Ted Willard Also present: Councilmember Kathy Carmody NOTE: Membership is at fourteen. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Eileen Oslund, seconded by Sy Knapp to approve the minutes of March 27, 1996. Motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE Chair Willson read the letter from Commissioner Brekke to Chief Judge Burke stating he will not seek to be reappointed. His term expired April 1 8th. The appreciation resolution for past Commissioner Bev Wolfe was read and passed at the April 8th City Council meeting. The Recording Secretary stated that she wrote a letter to past Commissioner Wolfe, and as of this date, has not had a reply from her. Members had received a copy of Chair Willson's letter to the City Council and Mayor dated 4 -2 -96. OLD BUSINESS Some discussion was held on the City Council/City Manager relationship. This item is to be discussed by the Council at their retreat on April 27. Councilmember Carmody was present at our meeting to seek further clarification on this item. Chair Willson relayed the information that the Charter Commission seeks direction from the City Council on how they wish to proceed on this item, either by a resolution, ordinance, or charter amendment. Diane Swanson arrived at 7:15 p.m. Commissioner Swanson reported on the Firehouse Park clean up. She suggested that perhaps in June, July or August, the Charter Commission could begin and/or hold their meeting at the park and do another clean up at the beginning of the meeting. NEW BUSINESS *Discussion of S.F. No. 2255, Vacancies on the Council/Boards Chair Willson had provided members with copies of this bill which was signed into law by the governor recently. As noted on line 1.4, this bill applies to statutory cities only. *Discussion on City Liability Concerns, Section 6.02, Subd. 3 (a) of the charter Discussion on this item revealed that in the model city charter, it leaves the appointment or removal of department heads up to the City Manager. It was suggested that perhaps the City Attorney should be consulted on this section, or some attorney. Possibly in the future, the City Attorney could be invited to attend a meeting. Further discussion ended up with the asking of the Recording Secretary to obtain a copy of the original Charter; and copies of all ordinances that enacted changes in the charter since the original charter. The Recording Secretary was also asked to find out what was the wording in the original charter in this section, and if a change was made to give the power of appointing or removing department heads to the Council, and any background information to support that change. Data privacy concerns/freedom of information questions center around this particular item. Commissioner Knapp will work with the City Attorney on preparing an issue statement listing the pros and cons on this issue. *Other Ideas /Suggestions Regarding the Charter Commissioners are urged to submit to the Chair any other ideas or suggestions for changes in the charter prior to the next meeting. *Appointment of New Audit Chair In light of Commissioner Brekke not seeking reappointment, a new Audit Chair for 1996 needs to be selected. This item will be on the next agenda. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Eileen Oslund, seconded by Carl Wolter, to adjourn at 9:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C 6 1 q1— Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary Page 2 of 2 Pages 4 -24-96