Agenda - Charter Commission - 07/31/2000

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CASE #2 CONSIDER REVISIONS TO CHAPTER 6 ADMINISTRATION OF CITY AFFAIRS, SECTION 6.3 OF THE CITY CHARTER CREATING THE SEPARATE POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND CITY CLERK Kim Moore-Sykes, Assistant City Administrator Background: When the Charter for the City of Ramsey was originally adopted in May 1984, the Clerk-Administrator was the chief administrative officer for the council. This position was responsible for the administrative matters of the City under the direction and guidance of the City Council. The administrator was also responsible for licensing, conducting city elections, preparing minutes and agendas and managing city records and documents. The City of Ramsey has changed significantly since it was first incorporated and the Charter adopted. As a result, the original responsibilities assigned to the Clerk-Administrator position were no longer reflective of the expectations that the City Council had of the Clerk-Administrator. While the Administrator continued to be responsible for the various city clerk duties, the Council authorized the creation of a Deputy City Clerk position in 1997, and that position continues to be responsible for the performance of these duties. At the October 25, 1999 Council budget meeting, the City Council directed that the current Deputy Clerk, Jo Thieling, be reclassified to City Clerk, recognizing that responsibilities and expectations have continued to change for both the Administrator and City Clerk positions. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the following: 1. that the Charter Commission recommend approval of the proposed revisions to Chapter 6, Administration of City Affairs, Section 6.3 of the City Charter, separating the position of the Administrator-Clerk into two positions, City Administrator and City Clerk; that the duties of the City Clerk as described in M.S. 412.151 and as assigned by the City Charter to the Administrator-Clerk, be completely assigned to the newly separated City Clerk position; and o that the Charter Commission recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending the City Charter. Commission Action: Motion to approve the proposed revisions to Chapter 6, Administration of City Affairs, Section 6.3 of the City Charter separating the position of the Administrator-Clerk into two positions, City Administrator and City Clerk; that the duties previously described as those of the City Clerk and assigned to the Administrator-Clerk be completely assigned to the newly separated City Clerk position; and that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending the City Charter. Reviewed by: Copies also distributed to: City Administrator Assistant City Administrator Charter: 07/31/00 Deputy City Clerk