Minutes - Council - 12/12/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Attorney Goodrich indicated the position of the Charter Commission was during the selection process the candidates could be advised that the city administrator position would become a city manager position on January 1, 2008. The position could be advertised as a city administrator position that will become a city manager position. Councilmember Strommen indicated she would like to understand the Charter Commission's logic regarding the Council's recommendation for a 1 O-year timeline or a population trigger. City Attorney Goodrich replied there will be a representative of the Charter Commission present at the December 28, 2006 City Council meeting. Councilmember Elvig stated he feels caught in a conundrum having brought this recommendation to the Charter Commission, and they have agreed with some of it, but not the timeframe. City Attorney Goodrich stated the Charter Commission has discussed this at length for some time, and acted on it on December 5th when requested by the Council. Mayor Gamec stated the Council had quite a bit of discussion regarding the date and the timing of this change. The action tonight would be to call for a public hearing and adoption of the ordinance on December 28th, which gives them some time to consider the Charter Commission's recommendation. He was much more at ease when the Council discussed the population trigger or the extended timing, but the Charter Commission has discussed this over the past 1 'h years. He indicated the Charter amendment could be sent back to the Charter Commission for discussion or the public hearing could be called for tonight. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Strommen, to introduce an ordinance amending Section 2.1 of the Charter requiring that the City be governed by the Council-Manager Form of Government. Further discussion: Mayor Gamec asked if there is anything in regards to the Charter that states the public hearing must be held at a regular meeting, or whether it can be held at a special meeting. City Attorney Goodrich replied the precise rule is related to the publication, and has been complied with. Councilmember Strommen asked if there will be a representative of the Charter Commission present at the public hearing. City Attorney Goodrich replied the City Clerk had advised there would be a representative of the Charter Commission present tonight; he will make certain there is a representative present at the public hearing. Mayor Gamec asked if the Council's discussion regarding the population trigger and extended timeline were brought up to the Charter Commission. City Attorney Goodrich explained the Charter Commission was not interested in the 35,000 population target. They were more interested in the 10 year timeline, and bantered around a couple of years, but were definitely leaning towards sooner, rather than later. The Commission determined that because of the vacancy in the city administrator position, now is the time for the change. The Commission feels they have discussed and reviewed this amendment; they also had someone from the League of Minnesota Cities review it with them; they feel they are ready to proceed with the proposed amendment. Councilmember Elvig City Council / December 12,2006 Page 8 of 29