Agenda - Charter Commission - 08/15/2002 - Joint with CC

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Further discussion: Commissioner Deemer suggested that the vacancy be posted on the community sign. City Attorney Goodrich recommended advertising on the City's website, in the AnolCtt Union, on Cable TV, and the entrance sign at City Hall. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Vo~, Commissioners Milless, Deemer, Ebel, LaMere, and Swanson. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Bertzyk and Henke. Case #2: Consider Deleting City Charter Section 3.2 Chairperson Vogt stated that at the Charter Commission meeting on January 17, 2002, the Commission asked that staff draft an ordinance for the purpose of deleting Section 3.2 of the Charter, which Section is titled "Liaison Function." The reason for deletion of this section is that with the establishment of wards, there is no longer a necessity for the Council members to act as precinct liaisons. Residents may now bring their local concerns to the Council member representing their ward. One of the methods provided by State Statute to amend the Charter is by ordinance recommended by the Charter Commission. If the City Council, after public hearing, adopts the ordinance unanimously, the Charter is amended. Th/s is a charter amendment procedure, which is efficient and economical and is generally used for the less controversial amendments. Commissioner Milless stated that the Commission had decided at the last meeting that they would delete that section. Motion by Commissioner Milless, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, to recommend that the City Council approve an ordinance deleting Section 3.2 "Liaison Function" from the City Charter. Further discussion: Commissioner Deemer inquired if they forward the recommendation to the City Council and the Council fails to adopt the ordinance would that force the 'right to place the issue on the ballot in November. City Attorney Goodrich replied no. He noted that the Commission could state that if the Council does not adopt the ordinance then they would like the issue to be voted on during the general election. Commissioner LaMere inquired if there was a timing issue. City Attorney Goodrich replied that the ward system is already in effect. He explained that the only timing issue they have is if the Commission wants to have the issue on the November ballot this year. The City would have to have the question to the Cotmty by September 16tl~ so the Council would need to address it on September 9th to determine the question. If the Charter Comrnission approves the amendment tonight then the Council would address the issue in August, if the ordinance fails to pass the Charter might want to meet to have it placed on the ballot. Commissioner Deemer noted that residents do have the authority to overturn the decision of the Council. Mr. Kiefer recommended that in the event the issue becomes controversial and the Council does not take action to adopt the ordinance, the motion should include that the issue be placed as a ballot question during the general election. Motion was amended to include that if the council fails to adopt the proposed ordinance the issue will be placed on the ballot during the general election on November 6, 2002. Charter Commission/July 18, 2002 Page 7 of 22 -9-