Agenda - Charter Commission - 10/21/2013

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5.5 Update on Topics for Discussion City Clerk Thieling reported that at the Charter Commission meeting in April 2012, there were a few items slated for review at a subsequent meeting. One was to review Sections 2.3 through 2.5 of the City's Charter. The City Attorney was asked to draft an ordinance amending 2.5 to clarify the clause referring to non - residency in the City to include language relating to non - residency in the ward as well. The Commission had approved a motion that the Attorney draft an ordinance to delete 2.3.3 and rewrite the last sentence of 2.3.1 to make it easier to understand what years different Councilmembers are elected without having to do the math. Mrs. Thieling suggested that since the attorney and some Charter members are new, the Commission should review the past direction and clarify the intent of the proposed amendments for Attorney Langel. At the April 2012 meeting, former City Attorney Goodrich noted that Section 4.5.5 had been discussed years ago. It talks about such a remote event that he wasn't sure that the Charter would even want to review it again. He suggested the Commission could study 4.5 dealing with vacancies and a "learning session" could be held on it to maybe brainstorm to make the language more clear. The question was raised about the dates of special elections and did the Commission want to consider extending the dates so there is time for a primary election. Mrs. Thieling reiterated that these instances are rare and added that a primary election is quite costly as well. Discussion ensued relating to scheduling a work session to talk about Charter Section 2.3 and maybe 4.5 as well. Commissioner Zaetsch noted Chapter 11 and stated that maybe the City would want to offer broadband and wondered if there is anything in Chapter 11 that might restrict the City Council from offering broadband. He suggested that could be a future discussion. Motion by Commissioner Zaetsch, seconded by Commissioner Anderson that the Charter Chair and the City Clerk work on scheduling a work session and report back to the Commission with a date and time and an agenda which should include 2.3 through 2.5 and 4.5 of the City's Charter. Further discussion: Commissioner Niska stated he would prefer a regular meeting be scheduled, where the Commission can take action. He stated that 2.3.3 could be rewritten — it's pretty straight forward. Section 2.5 can easily be amended to add language that you must live within your ward. Commissioner Bendtsen expressed an interest in doing the same, stating that he felt that the Commission was pretty much in agreement on most of language. Commissioner Niska stated that 2.3.3 would not be a substantive change — as you could refer to the presidential election year and the governor election year for electing Mayor and Council — both At Large and Ward representation. Section 2.5 would just be to clarify that if the vacancy occurs in a ward, the candidate must live in the ward. Commissioner Anderson asked that a broadband discussion be brought back as well. Motion by Commissioner Zaetsch, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to amend the motion to schedule a regular meeting, not a work session, and discuss 2.3 through 2.5, 4.5, plus Chapter 11 with regard to broadband. Charter Commission/ September 19, 2013 Page 4 of 5