20100310 Sample2 Charter Resolution

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City of Hastings Charter Resolution No. 2010- Resolution of the Charter Commission of the City of Hastings Recommending Changes in the Hastings City Charter Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement and Recommending This Amendment be Enacted by Ordinance of the Hastings City Council Date: March 10, 2010 Commissioner introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: Whereas, the present Hastings City Charter Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement provides that ?the Chief of Police shall be accountable to the Mayor for the administration, efficiency, effectiveness and discipline of the police department and the deployment of police department personnel?; and Whereas, the present Hastings City Charter Section 3.10: The City Administrator and Section 3.11: Powers and Duties of the City Administrator provide that the City Administrator ?shall be the chief administrative officer of the City? and ?shall be responsible to the council for the administration of the City's affairs? and ?shall exercise control over all departments and divisions of the City Administration created by this charter or by the council, except the police department?; and Whereas , the Charter Commission has met on January 13, 2010; February 3, 2010; February 25; 2010; and March 10, 2010 to discuss this issue; and Whereas , at the meeting of February 3, Mayor Paul J. Hicks and City Administrator David M. Osberg attended and provided support for a charter amendment, and at the meeting of March 10, 2010, Police Chief Michael C. McMenomy and Police Civil Service Commission Chair Joseph Drexler attended and provided support for a charter amendment; and Whereas, according to the League of Minnesota Cities, a local government membership organization that provides advocacy, education and training to local governments, the mayor as head of the police department is an archaic provision that is no longer commonly in place; and Whereas¸ thestructure of the mayor as head of the police department is unique and upon review by the Charter Commission, the Charter Commission has determined that the current Charter Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement should be changed to more accurately reflect the professional operations of the police department and city administration; and Whereas, the City has the position of City Administrator, which is a professional position hired on the basis of their training, experience and executive and administrative qualifications and is responsible to the Council for the administration of the City?s affairs; and Whereas, the City Council retains the right to appoint and remove all department heads and the change supported by the Charter Commission would result in a police chief being appointed and removed by the City Council.