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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/03/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 10, 2004 Westwood Room, City Hall I. Call to Order Chair Carver called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m II. Introductions and Attendance It was moved by Commissioner Hoeft, seconded by Commissioner Fillbrandt, to excuse the absences of the following members: Linda Jennings, James Schaefer, Michelle Olmstead. The motion passed 12-0. A. Members Present: Paul Carver, Carol Walsh, Marilyn Hoeft, Lynne Carper, Cheryl Ernst, Brian Fiderlein, Steve Fillbrandt, David Johnson, Jan Loftus, Nathan Busch, David Ornstein and Michael Sixel. B. Members Excused: Linda Jennings, James Schaefer, Michelle Olmstead. C. Members Unexcused: None D. Staff Present: City Clerk Cindy Reichert; St. Louis Park League of Women Voters Celia Andersen. E. Vacancies: None. III. Minutes of January 14, 2004 Meeting It was moved by Commissioner Hoeft, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to approve the minutes of January 14, 2004 as amended. The motion passed 12-0. III. Review of Chapters 5, 6 & 7 with City Finance Director, Jean McGann Ms. Reichert distributed a memo to charter commission members outlining recommendations resulting from staff review of Chapters 4, 5, & 6. Finance Director, Jean McGann reviewed the justification for the addition of the words “or designee” to be added to the second sentence of Section 5.05. Staff Liaison, Cindy Reichert supported the change. The Finance Director assured Commissioner Fillbrandt that the City Manager’s designee would have full authorization and would be noted in personnel files. Commission Busch questioned whether or not the City Manager would still be accountable. Jean McGann responded with a yes and referred commissioners to the language used in Section 5.01. Charter Meeting Minutes -2- March 10, 2004 Commission Walsh asked if the word “designee” was singular or plural. Discussion followed. McGann explained that a number of people might be designated according to department needs and situations. It was moved by Commissioner Sixel, seconded by Commissioner Fiderlein to accept recommendation to add “or City Manager’s Designee” to Section 5.01. The motion passed 11-1. (Busch opposed) Finance Director McGann reviewed the justification of removing the word “details” from the first sentence of the second paragraph in Section 6.04 stating that the budget is prepared at a broader categorical level. Commissioner Busch strongly objected to the deletion stating that he felt it was important to include line item detail. Commission Fiderlein stated that line item categories are universally accepted. McGann explained that details are always available to staff, residents and businesses. The roll up format without detail is commonly used in other cities and is necessary due to the physical size of the document. About 60 copies are printed for a cost of approximately $3,000. Commission Chair Carver inquired about the printing cost if line items were included. McGann estimated printing costs would be approximately $20,000. Commissioner Busch inquired as to whether residents would have access to budget detail and if there would be a charge. Reichert responded that whether or not a resident would be charged is determined by the City’s data practices guidelines. There would be no cost to review documents at city hall unless a great deal of staff time was spent compiling the data. Cities are allowed to charge only for copies of documents and costs associated with research and compilation. McGann said a PDF file could be generated and emailed to a resident or business free of charge. Motion by Commissioner Fiderlein to remove the words “details of” from section 6.04. Seconded by Commissioner Ornstein. Commissioners Carper and Johnson spoke in favor of the motion due to the cost of printing line item detail and the availability of the detail if needed. Commissioner Ornstein supported the motion considering his experience and knowledge of common practice in other municipalities. Commissioner Ornstein suggested adding the words “or City Manager’s designee” to the last sentence in Section 5.05 Purchases and Contracts. McGann said she felt the addition was not necessary but would not object to the change. Motion by Commissioner Ornstein to add the words “or City Manager’s designee” to the last sentence in Section 5.05. Seconded by Commissioner Sixel. Motion passed 11-1 (Busch opposed) Staff Liaison Reichert stated that staff suggested no changes for Chapter 7, Public Improvements and Special Assessments. Charter Meeting Minutes -3- March 10, 2004 Chairman Carver opened further discussion for comments, questions or review of Chapter 5, 6 and 7. Commissioner Loftus asked if a copy of the budget document is available in the Library and McGann stated a full copy is available. Commissioner Loftus asked why the number of votes required is at least five-5 (6.07) and at least six-6 (6.15). Reichert stated that she believed it was due to statutory requirements. She would verify that for the next meeting. Commissioner Loftus wondered if the first sentence in section 6.13 was correct or if the word “by” should be replaced or omitted. Commission Chair Carver agreed the language could be stated more clearly. Staff Liaison Reichert will check with the City Attorney for correctness. Commission Carper said he would like to see the word “morals” deleted from Section 7.02. Discussion followed. Commissioner Ornstein indicated the word usage is common and the sentence is a standard legal requirement and consistent with court requirements. Commissioner Fillbrandt said it would be a substantial change to eliminate the word “morals.” Reichert stated that the Charter is a historical document, and only necessary changes have been made since that time. Since removal of the word “morals” is not a compliance issue and does not substantially change how the charter is interpreted, there was no need to make the change. Chair Carver suggested that the review continue at the next Charter Commission meeting IV. 2004 Charter Celebration Commissioner Loftus presented a Task Force Update stating that planning for events and related activities were continuing to progress. Meetings were held with the Parktacular committee and the parade and parktacular related events were nearly finalized. Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, a former mayor, had agreed to emcee the event and Representative Jim Rhodes would be leading the SLP Community Band as entertainment. Plans include a double-decker bus for the parade in which Charter Commission members and past and present mayors, councilmembers and city managers would be riding. Commissioner Jennings was not able to attend the meeting, but Commissioner Loftus reported that the education committee had been working with school district personnel. It had been decided that the school education programs would focus on the 3rd, 7th and 9th grades. Plans for a citizen’s academy to be offered as a cooperative venture with the SLP Community Education Department were underway. Commissioner Fiderlein reported that marketing committee members had been discussing the display with Historical Society members and determining venues for the display. Questions had been raised regarding procedures for soliciting funds and reporting requirements. Ms. McGann answered questions from the task force and offered to help set up an account for the donations and subsequent expenditures Charter Meeting Minutes -4- March 10, 2004 Ms. Reichert clarified that Celebration Task Force members would be meeting with the city council to provide an update at their meeting of May 12th. IV. Annual Elections – Report of Nominating Committee Commissioners Ernst and Fiderlein reported that Charter Commissioners had been contacted to determine their interest in serving as officers of the commission and to provide their recommendations as to who they would like to serve. The nominating committee put forth the following slate of candidates:  Lynne Carper, Chair  Steve Fillbrandt, Vice Chair  Marilyn Hoeft, Secretary Motion by Fiderlein to accept the proposed slate of candidates. Seconded by Loftus. Motion passed 11-0. Former Chair Carver invited newly elected Chair Carper to finish officiating the meeting. VI. Future Meetings The next meeting of the Charter Commission will be held on May 12, 2004 at SLP City Hall – room location to follow. V. Other Business Commissioner Johnson informed the commission that he would be resigning in the very near future due to his decision to move out of St. Louis Park. VI. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Carper adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cynthia Reichert City Staff Liaison and City Clerk