Minutes - Charter Commission - 02/23/1984

Home

Commissioner Sieber pointed out that because of the previous motion, it is no longer necessary to make provisions regarding improvements to city-owned property not being subject to petition. Commissioner Data inquired if there is any way to add further clarification to when the 60 day clock begins. Mr. Schnelle suggested that the clock should begin with the hearing that Council orders the plans and specs. Motion by Commissioner Sieber and seconded by Commissioner Bauerkemper, for discussion, that the charter be processed with the changes made at this meeting; call a special meeting on February 28, 1984 for the purpose of voting on whether or not to present this charter to the City. Further Discussion: Commissioner Gamec stated that he does not like to see Councils or Commissions take action at special meetings. All members of the Charter Commission should be present to vote on the charter. A review of the charter should be obtained from the City Attorney. Commissioner Sieber stated those delays would push the election into summer. Commissioner Gamec stated that he doesn't think there will be any problem with Council setting an election date prior to summer. Commissioner Sieber stated that the Commission cannot take just one councilmember's opinion on that. Commissioner Gamec noted that the charter could be voted on at the time of precinct caucaus in September. Commissioner Bauerkemper noted that a charter election cannot be held within 120 days of a general election. Commissioner Gamec stated that the Charter Commission is going to be criticized for running this charter through before the next Council meeting on the 28th of February. Commissioner Gamec also stated that the Charter Commission should come out good with requesting a May election if they follow the process he has requested. Commissioner Gamec stated that a letter from Attorney Dorn is required. Chairman Heitman stated that if that letter is not obtained by February 28, 1984, the special meeting will not be held. Commissioner Bauerkemper noted that this special meeting of the Charter Commission is not an attempt to rush the charter through and submit it to Council that same night; the charter in fact, is to be submitted to the City Administrator. Mr. Ippel stated that the Charter Commission is intimately aware of what the document states and they tend to get frustrated when anybody questions it. The Charter Commission has something that they have to sell to the people and they have to anticipate every possible accusation and objection. There may be many accusations thrown at the Commission, but you don't want any of them to be true. The accusation that you are rushing it through would be true if you conduct a special meeting prior to Council's meeting on the 28th of February. Mr. Ippel further commented that people he has talked with think it is silly and stupid to go to the cost of a special election. Can see where you might not want to do it at a general election, but the alternative is there to do it in September. It seems like a perfect compromise. The Charter Commission has put all this time and effort into the Charter and they should sell and present it right. Chairman Heitman replied that the Commission is not rushing anything through; they have been working on it for 9% months; it is not an original charter -- the Commission is not creating anything new. Chairman Heitman further commented that the circle of friends he travels in say it's stupid not to hold a special election in order to get the charter adopted. Chairman Heitman stated that requesting delaying the election until November is a delay tactic and is not warranted. Chairman Heitman stated that the education process will Continue over the next three months and it will be a selling job and he doesn't expect to see Mr. Ippel out there selling it. CC/February 23, 1984 Page 9 of 11