Agenda - Charter Commission - 01/18/2007

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Councilmember Jeffrey expressed concern regarding the possible need to re-recruit for a manager after a short term by an administrator if the effective date were to be 2009. He stated he does not want to put the City in the box of not moving forward at all with the possibility of changing the position in 1 '/2 years. Mayor Gamec noted there have been other structural changes put into effect that have not required individuals to be changed, as long as the change exists through the Charter. He indicated most city administrators he speaks with do not feel if they are looking at a city with the growth potential of Ramsey that the differentiation between an administrator or a manager position is significant. There is no guarantee for any position, whether public or private. The person that takes that job has to look at the opportunities that are there. Councilmember Cook stated in the past they have looked at a person, rather than a position. This is the one opportunity they have to look at the position. If this amendment is not passed now they are taking the chance that two years down the line they will not be interested in the person serving as administrator becoming a manager. Councilmember Olson requested City Administrator Norman provide his perspective on the discussion. City Administrator Norman stated he believes there is too much time being spent talking about the pool of candidates. It does not make a difference to a candidate whether the position is city manager versus city administrator; it is more about the position of the City, rather than the title of the position. There is also too much time being spent worrying about the timing of six months, one year or two years. This issue has been discussed at ,work sessions many times; nine years ago when he first arrived at the City it was being discussed by the Charter Commission. Ten years from now the City will still be discussing the City Manager Form of Government. At some point the City. should go to a City Manager Form of Government. The votes were here tonight to put the change ten years into the future. He felt that was a good compromise, but it did not come back that way from the Charter Commission.. He suggested the Council adopt the change tonight with an effective date ten years in the future, a 35,000 population, or whichever comes first. Mr. Norman stated in all due respect to Councilmember-Elect Dehen, it takes a long time for the new councilmembers to get up to speed with the management of the City and all the complications and layers. There seemed to be a compromise about one month ago, but it came back from the Charter Commission with a shorter time period. If this amendment is not passed they will not likely get the votes again. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to adopt Ordinance No. 06-12-_ amending Section 2.1 of the City Charter requiring that the City be governed by the Council-Manager Form of Government with the following change: with an effective date of January 1, 2011, contingent on approval by the Charter Commission. Further .discussion: Councilmember Elvig noted with a date of 2011 this will go through an entire four year cycle and gives everyone an opportunity to get up to speed. The administrator that comes in will be up to speed with how the City operates and will have three years to get the organization under their .belt. It will also provide an opportunity for the Council to become City Council /December 28, 2006 ~'~ Page 10 of 27 i