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Home My WebLink About1983 01-26 CHCA BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION January 26, 1983 8:00 P.M. City Hall AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Roll call 3. Approval of December 1, 1982, minutes 4. Approval of Annual Report 5. Audit Report 6. Nominating Committee Report 7. Election of Officers for 1983 8. New Committee Appointments 9. Old Business 10. New Business 11. Next meeting date 12. Adjournment BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 1982 The Charter Commission'met'six times during 1982. The annual meeting was held on January_20, 1982, with the following officers being elected: Chair: Michael Beauchane Vice Chair: Donn Escher Secretary: Barbara Sexton The following appointments were made: Public Relations: Ernest Erickson Audit: Jean Schiebel Rules /Parliamentarian: Raymond Maik During the year, there were no resignations and one appointment. During the year, the following business was accomplished: 1 Proofreading- of the Charter was completed. 2. A meeting was held with the City Manager whereby a number of potential "housekeeping" amendments and inconsistencies were noted in the Charter. In their future business, the Commission will deal with these matters. 3. The Commission continued their study of Codes of Ethics, recommending to the City Manager that the City adopt a policy with respect to ethics. 4. Proposals to amend the Charter from prior years which were never adopted have been reviewed to determine whether there was merit in the intent. A number of the proposals are currently under reconsideration. Respectfully submitted, Michael P. Beauchane, Chairman BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION cb CITY OF 6301 SHINGLE CREEK PARKWAY f BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA 55430 1K. LYN C E TELEPHONE 561 -5440 �1 j N r" R EMERGENCY -POLICE -FIRE L is w 561 -5720 January 20, 1983 0 Mrs. Jean Schiebel 2120 70th Ave. North Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 i Dear Mrs. Schiebelc At your request as Audit Chairman of the Brooklyn Center Charter Commission, I have listed below the expenditures charged to the Charter Commission budget appropriation in 1982: z PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Date Payee Amount Purpose j 05/10/82 Acro- Minn. 5.94 Ringbook Indexes 04/12/82 Cheryl Jacobson 48.00 Secretarial Services 04/26/82 Cheryl Jacobson 30.00 Secretarial Services l 01/10/83 Michael Beauchane 12.35 Postage 01/10/83 Carol Blowers 26.25 Secretarial Services $122.54 The Commission expended $122.54 of its 1982 appropriation of $1,500, leaving an unexpended balance of $1,377.46. Sincerely yours, QC�w. Paul W. Holmlund Director of Finance PWH:pk Michael P. Beauchane 6713 Camden 'Avenue North Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 December 2, 1982 Mr. Gerald Splinter City Manager City of Brooklyn Center' 6301 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 Dear Mr. Splinter, As you know, for the past year and a half to two years, the Charter Commission has been discussing conflicts of interest, ethical stan- dards, and codes of ethics. In connection with our review, we have noted an increasing tendency by governmental bodies, including mu- nicipalities, and businesses to adopt policies with respect to ethical standards Accordingly, the Commission has requested that I communicate to you our belief that 'a positive statement of policy by the City in this regard not only would be of assistance in com- municating the expectations of the citizens of the community, but would be more dignified than negative rules which proscribe specific behavior and dictate resultant disciplinary measures. Our belief in the value of such a policy is not founded upon any recognized unethical behavior or perceived deterioration in personal standards on the part of any City employee or officials. If any- thing, our observations are to the contrary. Accordingly, based upon our review of various alternative methods available to estab- lish a<code, it is our opinion that this can be best accomplished by adoption of a policy and related procedure developed by the City Council with the assistance of the City Manager and the City Attorney. In the 'past the Commission has played a role in forming City policy where it has been recognized that the matter can be better addressed outside of the charter document. Specifically, I refer to the pol- icies regarding publication of proposed ordinances and the City pur- chasing policy. In like manner, we are suggesting that you consider a proposal to the Council to adopt an appropriate policy and proce- dure with respect to compliance. Attached is a rough example pat- terned upon policies currently in use by many corporations through out "the- United 'States. Commonly, the procedure is to require em- ployees to sign a statement annually to the effect that they have read and understand the policy, and to the best of their knowledge are not in conflict with it. In addition, the company's legal counsel is frequently made available on an "as needed." basis to confidentially discuss any personal matters that an employee may believe could be in conflict with the policy. December 2, 1982 Mr. Gerald Splinter Page 2 We recognize that there may be some deficiencies in the attached document and only offer it as a guide We envision that this policy would extend to all City employees, officers and officials elected, appointed, or volunteered, who are currently not subject to a code of ethics with regard to their profession. We believe that it would be most admirable for the City of Brooklyn Center to be a leader with respect to such a practice. We solicit your ideas and encourage a frank discussion with respect to our proposal. SiDQerely, PA '>V -4 (/wZ Michael F. Beauchane Chairman Brooklyn Center Charter Commission eb Attachments f i