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Councilmember Cox stated that if the law is in reverse, you attempt to change <br />it; not patch it up at every meeting. <br /> <br />Mayor Heitman replied that the law is there to protect the minority. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cox stated that Mayor Heitmanwill be in office for two years <br />and unless the charter is changed, all resolutions will be read; if the <br />charter was written properly, we would not have to waive that requirement to <br />read resolutions. <br /> <br />Mayor Heitman replied that there is nothing wrong with the charter. <br /> <br />Dick Sieber - Charter Commission Chairman - Stated that the particular section <br />of the charter that Councilmember Cox is referring to says that any resolution <br />has to be read prior to being acted u/pon unless Council unanimously dispenses <br />with the reading. Mr. Sieber stated that in most cases you would not want the <br />resolution read but there are cases where a resolution has been interjected in <br />that same evening and at that point in time, a councilmember should be able to <br />request that the resolution be read. Mr. Sieber stated that some <br />councilmembers think that they or the Charter Commission can change the <br />charter but only the people can change it. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that the Charter Commission can initiate a charter <br />amendment and recommend that amendment to Council; if Council unanimously <br />accepts the amendment, the charter is amended. <br /> <br />Mr. Sieber noted that there is an interim period in which the people have the <br />opportunity to subject the amendment to initiative and referendum. Mr. Sieber <br />stated that the last decision in a charter city is made by the people -- not <br />Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Heitman stated that he has offered a 2 minute solution to the problem <br />Councilmember Cox has pointed out. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Schlueter and seconded by Mayor Heitman to dispense <br />with the reading of all resolutions proposed for adoption on this February 26, <br />].985 Council agenda. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Re/mann stated that he would like to see <br />this issue referred back to the Charter Commission for their review and <br />recommendations. Mayor Heitman replied that the Charter does not say that <br />Council must always read the resolutions. Mayor Heitman inquired why it is <br />anymore appropriate to invoke a rule because it exists and necessitate a <br />change that is not necessary. Councilmember Reimann stated that home rule, <br />prior to the charter, allowed authority for resolutions to be read upon <br />request. Councilmember Cox reaffirmed Councilmember Reimann's previous <br />statement and added that the Charter should not give Council the authority to <br />waive the reading of a resolution, it should give the people the authority to <br />request that itbe read. Councilmember Cox stated that the issue should be <br />looked at in an objective manner. Mayor Heitman stated that Councilmember Cox <br />is implying that he is not looking at it in an objective manner. Citizen Gary <br />Stritesky noted that there is obviously some politics involved here and <br /> February 26, 1985 <br /> <br />Page 10 of 26 <br /> <br /> <br />