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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19850411 Charter Minutes... -~~ .. .. .. ,. - ~ - _._ _. .. _~ : .. ... _ J..-~- } ss.cl dcWb]34ufa.$ke6- .s. Hastings Charter Commission Thursday, April ll, 1985 Regular Meeting: City Council :Chambers PRESENT: Marie Bolden, Mike Hovgaard, Judy Gilbert, Jeanne McGree, Don Kramlinger, Sharon Avert, Dick Dobrick, Wint Hartman, Earl Beltz, Janice Johnson ABSENT; Chuck Caturia GUESTS: Stan Peskar = League of MN Cities 1. The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Don Kramlinger about 7:40 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on April 11, 1985. Z. The Commission approved the Minutes of March 14 as amended: a. Item 4~4 change would have to approve to •-- would have to be approved. b. Item #5 - Line 2 change who resignation was accepted earlier to -- whose resignation was accepted earlier c. Ttem #6 Sec. 2.07 line 1 refer this section and Wint Hartmaai's proposal amendment to -- Wint Hartman's proposed Motion Dick Dobrick Second Earl Beltz 3. Jeanne McGree introduced Stan Peskar to the commission. Don Kramlinger asked Mr. Peskar to explain the purpose of the Charter Commission to the new members. Mr. Peskar stated the commission can determine the structure of government and its powers as long as it was not unconstitutional and it did not violate any laws. Some forms of government work well in some communities..and not a.n others. The trend for the metro area is for a city manager/administrator form of government. Regarding the xuayor, the trend is away from adding administration responsibilities to this office =- its difficult to find a qualif ied individual who is available to run for office, has the time to devote to administrative functions, and has the background der educational experience to administer city functions. Regarding'Council Size -- the trend is to smaller governing bodies of 5 and not more than 7-8. Councils are usually elected by wards or districts which enables the council persons to vote for the special needs and interests•of their districts. Mr. Peskar suggested they run "at-large members", eliminating the special inter- ests. It could be a matter of electing both wards and at-large coux-cil members. Mr. Peskar stated the document should be kept as simple as possible and be able to convey the meaning of what it is suppose to do. The structure of the govern- ment should be kept simple without a lot of independent commissions and boards-- the mare complicated the more trouble you have. Wirt Hartman questioned -. "What do you say about a police cP-ief who can take my civil rights away answering to an appointed Official?" He aan answer to the council if not the mayor. A police chief is not the only one that does not always answer directly to an elected official. There are several steps and it is no longer dear who the police answer to--it could be a Civil Service Commission, City Council--Peace Officers Standards Board. Wirt Hartman - If you have a weak mayor, what do they do-~-Preside over council and are ceremonial head of the city. State Statutes - All cities must have a mayor, be it a councilperson elected $y his/her peers--the statutes does not stipulate the powers. Wirt Hartman. - asked about mayor's voting rights. Mr. Peskar stated it was a mattex of 1oca1 preference. Voting can promote involvement and forces the mayor to take a position on matters. Don Kramlinger asked, "Is the mayor a member of the council ar dust a presider, the charter is. not clear." Stan Peskar stated in the Charter the mayor is a member of the council. Don Kramlinger - Some charters clearly def ine powers of the mayor and the city managers/administrators. If there is confusion as to who does what--the charter should be clear and consistant as tv the fob of the administrator. The council cannot conf er mayoral duties to the city administrator. Don Kramlinger noted that Chapter IV and 3.05 are in direct conflict. Stan Peskar recommended that each sentence ar clause be def ined as to the duties of the city administrator. He also suggested the city administrator's duties as outlined in the ordinance be put in the charter. Wint Hartman ' "Could something be put in the Charter regarding a councilperson attendance and to be more attentive to council meeting's items". One suggestion from Mr. Peskar is to better compensate (increase council members salaries) for their time, and two some punishment as to their absence from the council meetings. Don Kramlinger summarized the trends as stated by Stan Peskar. 1. More governments in the metro area are going to City Manager/ Administrator type governments. 2. The trend is away from giving the mayor more administrative responsibility---its more often assigned to the professional staff (e.g, city administrators}, 3. Reducing Council size (between 4-8 members on a council) more cities elect members at-large than using ward representation system. 4. The trend is away froze commissions and boards having budgets--use them in an advisory capacity only. 5. "Weak" mayor - strong council system.. Presides at meetings, is ceremonial head of city and votes as a member of the City Council. Mayor does not have Veto powers,: Out of the 855 cities 750 have the weak mayor system. 6. Police Department - trend z~way from the mayor as the administra- tor far the police department this occurring even outside the metro area. Police chief could answer to the council, or the administrator. 7. City Manager/Administrator is a def mite trend towards effective management of city government. Council is the policy making body. The following items came out of discussion: 1. Even if a city has a "weak mayor" system tha mayor can still have a great influence over the council. 2. The Mayor can have equal footing with the council and run the meeting. 3. Allow debate from the chair--without stepping down as a chair--can be written in the Charter. Don Kramlinger scheduled a brief recess. After some discussion regarding "the heart of the Charter--Form of Government," it was decided that the Commission had received enough information from Mr. Stan Peskar and the other information received previously from Todd Manske's subcom- mittee does not warrant trips to other areas. It was decided that all members will participate in the discussion and will not be left to committee work. Nos. 3.01-3.OS-3.06-- Ch. 4-4.02 need to be reviewed and must be made consistent and in accord with the ordinance. 4. Don Kramlinger asked for discussion on general concepts to be discussed at the next meeting. 1. Mayor a voting member of the council. 2. Mayor duties era away from administrative. 3. Equal member being able to engage in debate. 4. Vote - but no veto power. 5. Vote last as not to influence other Council members. 6. Ceremonial representative for the city. 7. Mayor need not relinquish chair to participate in debate. 5. The meeting adjourned at 9:I5 p.m. Respectfully submitted,