Resolution 2010-01 Mayor-Law Enforcement

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City of Hastings Charter Resolution No. 2010-41 Resolution of the Charter Commission of the City of Hastings Recommending Changes in the Hastings City Charter Section 3.06: Mayor-Law Enforcement and Section 3.1.1: Powers and Duties Of the City Administrator and Recommending these Amendments be Enacted by Ordinance of the Hastings City Council Date: March 10, 2010 Commissioner Jauquet 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 tlae 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 Comtrussion 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, of the 33 communities the City compares itself to for compensation market review (which are cities in the seven county metro with a population between 15,000 35,D00 and who report salaries in the League of Minnesota Cities' salary report}, none have a mayor who is the head of the Police Department; and Whereas, the structure 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