Agenda - Charter Commission - 05/22/2006

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Commission Input #2 COMMISSION UPDATE By: Jo Thieling, City Clerk Background: At the April 27, 2006 meeting, Commissioner Bertzyk inquired about the Commission Update/Staff Report and why it wasn't on the agenda. Staff had opted to not include the report because the agenda for that evening was rather lengthy. Following is the most recent update. Year End Letters: Since the last discussion of obtaining year end letters from other cities, Ham Lake has provided us with their yearNend review. Instead of writing a summary letter, they send the Judge the agendas and the minutes. The information is attached to this Input case Training Budget Line Item: Staff had discussed a budget for training for the Charter Commission. Since there were no specific trainings listed, it was stated that if the Charter determined there was something specific they wanted training on; it is most likely the League of Minnesota Cities has the information and/or the person to do the training. As you are aware, City staff has invited a couple people from the League to be present at meetings - those being Kevin Frazell and Rylee Retzer. Staff contacted the City of Blaine to find out if they have a training budget for their Charter Commission. It was reported that there is no training budget nor do they do any type of training for them. Their Charter Commission is given an overview of what their responsibilities are such as making recommendations to Council with regard to Charter amendments, and they are given a copy of the Charter. Orientation Packets: In 2005, staff met briefly with Human Resources Manager Givonna Reed and Technician Colleen Lasher regarding an orientation packet for the Commission. At the May, 2005 meeting, staff brought a copy of the Council orientation book to the meeting, however, there wasn'i a chance to look at it. Staff will bring a copy of the Council Orientation Book to the meeting along with the "welcoming packet". The Commission may wish to devote some time at a future meeting to talk about what they would like to see included in an orientation manual that would be specific to the Charter Commission. Model Charter. Kevin Frazell of the League of Minnesota Cities was present at a meeting in 2005, to discuss the City Manager Form of Government. At that time, he suggested the Charter Commission may be interested in purchasing the Model City Charter, published by the National Civic League. Staff ordered a copy from the NCL, and made copies for the Commission members. Those will be available at the meeting. Commission Action: Based upon discussion. Charter: 05/22/06 7