HomeMy WebLinkAbout19890112 Charter MinutesMINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION
CITY Olt HASTINGS, MINNESOTA
.IANUARY 12, 1989
Present: Winton Hartman Judy Gilbert
Rick Law Dick Lee
Dick Dobrick Agnes Kobierowski
Mike Hovgaard Earl Beltz
Absent: Jeanne McGree
Janice Johnson
Guest: Shawn Moynihan
Presiding: Winton Hartman, Chairperson
Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:3Q p.m. by Chairperson Winton Hartman, and the
and Quorum: chairperson declared a quorum to be present.
Item III Minutes of May 5, 1988 meeting approved.
Approval of Motion Rick Law
Minutes: Second Agnes Kobierowski
So ordered.
Item IV Chairperson Wirt Hartman reviewed the accomplishments of the Commission.
Opening {Items Iisted on attached sheet). Chairperson Hartman pointed out the right of each
State~nen~ member to take considerable satisfaction from these accomplishments. He stated that
today, he had Bled his resignation from the Commission with the Chief Judge and after
tonight he will no longer be a member of the Commission. Chairperson Hartman
thanked the commission members for their support and hard work during the course
of his tenure.
Item V Motion was made by Earl Beltz nominating Dick Dobrick for Chairperson. Seconded
Election of by Judy Gilbert. There being no other nominations, Judy Gilbert moved to close the
Officers: nominations, seconded by Dick Lee. So ordered, Dick Dobrick is Chairperson of the
Charter Commission. Motion was made by Dick Lee and seconded by Rick Law to
nominate Judy Gilbert for Vice-Chairperson. There being no other nominations, Mike
Hovgaard moved to close the nominations for Vice-Chairperson, seconded by Rick Law.
So ordered, Judy Gilbert is Vice-Chairperson of the Charter Commission.
Chairperson Wint Hartman then turned the control of the meeting over to the new
Chairperson, Dick Dobrick.
Item VI .Discussion was held on the possibility of looking into a Code Of Ethics far the ofrcials
Discussion of - of the city, department heads and possibly commission members of any kind of the city.
Agenda Items: It was felt that- the Charter Commission should examine those issues, including
disclosure of any property owned, businesses involved with, etc. Rick Law made a
motion that a study of the standards of ethics for council members, officials and
employees of the city and its commissions be put on the agenda for 1989. Seconded by
Judy Gilbert. After a short discussion the motion was passed.
Chairperson Dobrick made a suggestion that each of the members should try to recruit
additional members. He also suggested that the commission's membership list be
updated.
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Charter Commission Meeting
January 12, 1989
Yage 'I~vo
Chairperson Dobrick opened the discussion concerning the new rates and exclusive
permit for Waste Management. He stated that, in his opinion, the citizens of Hastings
deserve better than anon-competitive contract regardless of the company's reputation.
After soma discussion Rick Law made a motion that a study concerning the position
of the City of Hastings in relation to contract refuse haulers be put an the Charter
Commission's Agenda for 1989. Seconded by Dick Lee. So ordered.
Shawn Moynihan suggested that the Commission Iook at the Charter provision
concerning how many day's notice required for special meetings of the City Council.
Also, the matter of the wording of the Charter concerning when the first Council
meeting of the year will be held. After some discussion motion was made by Earl $eltz
to put on the Agenda for 1.989, a study of these two issues, seconded by Judy Gilbert.
So ordered.
Rick Law volunteered to chair a committee to study the item of contract refuse haulers.
Dick Lee and Earl Beitz will also serve on this committee. Shawn Moynihan volunteered
to draft a proposed change for the items of "Council Meeting Dates" and "Notice of
Special Meetings". In the matter of "Code of Ethics", Judy Gilbert volunteered to serve
as a member of a wmmittee to study this issue. Chairperson Dobrick will appoint the
full committee at an early date.
Shawn Moynihan stated that he will update the Charter, including the latest
amendments and will distribute the new copies.
The next meeting of the Charter Commission of the City of Hastings will.be April 13,
1.989.
Item VII - I~To other business.
Other Business
Item VIII Motion was made by Earl Beltz and seconded by Rick Law For adjournment.
Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
January 12, 1959
Significant achievements of the Hastings City Charter Commission over the past 5 years.
A. Changes in the City Charter recommended to and approved by the electorate.
1. Reduced the size of the City Council -nine to seven members.
2. Provided for At-Large representation on the City Council while still preserving the ward representation.
3. Extended the term of the Mayor from two to four years.
4. Mayor became a full participating member of the Council, and a voting member of the Council on all issues before
that body.
S. Provided for the automatic appointment of the Acting-Mayor from the Council Members At-Large in the event of a
Council dead-lock.
6. Clarified the relationship of the Mayor to the Chief of Police and Far the direct accountability of the Chief to the
Mayor in all matters of administration, deployment of forces and discipline of personnel.
7. Defined specificaIIy the condrtions of tenure of the City Administrator and for the Administrators removal for cause.
S. Defined the powers and duties of the City Administrator and defined the City Administrator's relationship to the
Council and Council's relationship to the City Administrator.
9. Provided for the employment of Ciry Department Heads by contract only and for a Job Description and Annual
Performance Review of the work of each Department Head.
10. Provided for a minimum of five days notice of Agenda Items for any and every City Council meeting.
11. Provided that the make-up of any and every Council Committee must be~iess than the majority of the City Council.
12. Provided that the City Employees shall not accept gifts or gratuities as a result of their employment with the City.
13. Provided that no member of the City Council may take part in the Council's discussion of or voting on any matter in
which the Council Member has a financial interest.
14. Frovided that r_o Elected Official be appointed or be compensated for a City position during that Council Member's
term of office or for one year thereafter.
15. Provided that no City Employee may take part in a negotiation of any City Contract in which the employee has a
personal financial interest.
B. Changes in the City Charter developed by the Charter Commission and subsequently adopted by the City Council:
16. Provided for the filling of vacancies on the City Council by Special Election in the event of a Council dead-lock.
17. Provided for the transfer of City Funds by Electronic Funds Transfer upon the authorization of the Mayor and the
City Administrator.
18. Provided for an effective Voice Amplifying System at all meetings of the City Council and its Committees and the
Commissions.
C. Developed and adopted by the Charter Commission:
19. By--laws and rules of procedure for the work and conduct of the Charter Commission.