Agenda - Council - 09/09/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Upon recommendation of the charter commission the City Council may enact charter amendment by unardmous vote on an ordinance. The City Attorney recommends that the third option be used if it is the Committee's desire to pursue a charter amendment. Generally the Charter Commission meets on an as-needed basis, however, their next quarterly meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2003 and it could meet sooner if necessary. Staff estimates that depending on the Charter Commission's sentiments regarding a proposed amendment, an amendment could be enacted in five months (charter amendments become effective 90 days after passage and publication.) In terms of process, once the Personnel Con'nnittee has determined which scenario it would like to see in place, a motion can be made for legal staff to draft an ordinance which would be forwarded to the Charter Commission for consideration. If the Charter Commission supports the proposed amendment upon two weeks published notice a public hearing is held, subsequent to the public hearing, a vote is taken by the City Council. The vote must be unanimous for the amendment to take effect 90 days after passage and publication. If the selected scenario calls for amendments to the City Code or the Policy for Appointing Board and Connnission Members, the City Code would be amended by ordinance and the Policy would be amended by resolution. Attendance In recent months the Personnel .Committee has discussed absences by Commissioners from regularly and specially scheduled meetings and the potential for not having a quormn. The options listed in the table above do not provide any relief from this potential problem, however, as per City Council direction, a letter was sent to all Plmming Commissioners stressing the importance of regular attendance at Commission meetings. Appointing alternates has also been discussed as a possible solution, however, it appears that the Cmrmqittee would like to consider options other than appointing alternates. The City of Ramsey's attendance policy is outlined in the City Code as follows: 2.03.02, subd. 4 Appointment of Members, Terms of Office and 'Removal, Unexcused Absences Any Board of Commission member having three of more unexcused absences in any given year shall be cause for review of member status on the Board or Commission and the Ci~ Council shall make a determination, with Board or Commission recommendation, as to that member's continued service on the Board or Commission. G:XAdminisn'ation\HumanRcsources\CommissionskPlanning~.OO3kDiscussion regm'ding mnending the appt process 9-9-03.d~c -221-