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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19890713 Charter MinutesMINUTES CHARTER COMI4IISSION CITY OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA JULY 13, 1989 Present: Judith Gilbert Robert Stoneberg Edith Kaiser Lucille Sieben Absent: Rick Law Earl Beltz Denise Kelm Guest: Presiding: Items I & II Call Ta Order and Quorum: Item III Introduction Welcome: Tom Novak Dick Dobrick, Chairperson Dick Dobrick Dick Bond Virginia Brown Pat Mathison Agnes Kobierowski Dick Lee Patrick Regan The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Dick Dobrick, and the Chairperson declared a quorum to be present. Chairperson Dick Dobrick introduced himself and asked the members to do the same. Each member gave a short summary of their backgrounds. and Chairperson Dobrick, on behalf of the Commission, welcomed everyone. Item IV Minutes of April 13, 1989 meeting approved. Approval of Motion Robert Stoneberg Minutes: Second Lucille Sieben So ordered. Item V Committee report for competitive bids for trash haulers could not be given due Reports of to the absence of Committee Chairperson Rick Law and Committee member Committees: Earl Beltz. Chairperson Dobrick reviewed with the Commission the written report that was submitted at the previous meeting by this committee. Discussion was held on the exclusivity of the licensing of trash hauling, and the various rates that are now in effect. Mr. Stoneberg, being new to the Commission, asked what precipitated the study of trash removal--was it the new rates or how the job was done? Chairperson Dobrick stated that it was mainly due to the rate increase. Mr. Stoneberg stated that he felt that the rate was nominal for the amount of work being done. Chairperson Dobrick felt that the rates could be considerably lower if there was competitive bidding. Mr. Dobrick stated that the study was continuing. Chairperson Dick Dobrick explained the next item to be reviewed--Report of the Committee studying the Code of Ethics for Public Officials. He stated that this was also an our agenda for this year and, at one time, the City Council was working on an ordinance which would decide a code of ethics for public officials. The Council decided not to continue with that because of a bill in the State Legislature. If the Legislature adopted a law that was more restrictive than the proposed city ordinance, they felt that time would be wasted. Mr. Dobrick continued by informing the Commission as to the members of the Committee formed to study this issue. They are: Dick Dobrick, Chairperson; Judy Gilbert and Agnes Kobierowski. Committee Chairperson Dobrick reported that the City of St. Paul Park recently adopted a "Code of Ethics" that, among other things, requires the city officials to file a statement with the City stating Charter Commission Meeting July 13, 1989 rage Two the property owned by them plus the name of any business operating in the city ar by contract with the city in which the city afFtcial is an employee or director or in which he or she has a financial interest. Our Charter Commission committee met with the Administration Committee of the City Council Last February to discuss this issue. The Assistant City Attorney, Shawn Moynihan has drawn up a draft of an Ordinance, which would be a code of ethics for the City of Hastings. Mr. Dobrick stated that another meeting with the Administration Committee was presently being arranged. He stated that the study is ongoing and that his Committee will report again at the next meeting. Item VI Chairperson Dobrick reported on the proposed ordinance requiring a public Unfinished hearing before the Council changes the rates for garbage hauling or recycling Business: pickup. In April, 1989, the Charter Commission recommended to the City Council that they adopt such an ordinance. The Commission felt that it would be in the Council's interest, from the point of view of good public relations, that they hold a public hearing before they decide what the rates will be. And, in fact, the City Council did adopt such an ordinance on July 5, 1989, and it will become effective 7 days after publication. The Charter Commission had recommended to the City Council that they amend the City Charter by Ordinance. The amendments that the Charter Commission proposed were non-controversial and "housekeepingr", clarifying when the first council meeting of the year would be in January, and also, amending the requirements of notice for special ar emergency Council meetings in order to conform with State Public Meeting Statute. The City Council did adopt those amendments to the Charter by unanimous vote on Jyly 5, 1989. These amendments become effective 90 days after passage. Item VII Judy Gilbert reported on the length of time and/or how many terms a New Business: Commission member may serve. She stated that at the present time they may serve 2 consecutive terms. 3 terms or 10 years was proposed but did not pass in the legislature. Dick Band stated that the City Charter addresses the issue of the City Attorney attending City Council meetings. He said although Assistant City Attorney Shawn Moynihan was doing an excellent job he was quite disappointed that the City Attorney did not attend. He felt that that office should comply with the Charter. It was brought to the Commission's attention that the City has contracted the "office" of City Attorney, therefore, anyone from that office may represent it in the capacity of City Attorney. Dick Bond also stated the desire for the "tightening up" of that particular part of the Charter which addresses incompatible offices. He felt that it should include administrative positions. Item VIII Chairperson Dick Dobrick wrrected a misprint on the list of new members. Announcenrients: Pat Mathison's 4 year term will end April 3Q, 1993. Charte[ Commitcion Meeting 7uly 13, 1959 Page Three Chairperson Dick Dobrick appointed Edith Kaiser to the Code of Ethics Committee, and also appointed Bob Stoneberg to the Committee studying contract refuse haulers. Chairperson Dobrick announced that the next meeting of the Charter Commission will be on Qctober 12, 1989. Item IX Dick Bond moved to adjourn the meeting. Edith Kaiser seconded. So ordered. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted: