Minutes - Charter Commission - 01/18/2007

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Commissioner Fischer stated that companies are the same - it's all about working together. The biggest difference she thought would be cohesiveness in hiring. It takes some day to day things out of the Mayor and Council duties and they get to focus on the bigger part of running a City. Mayor Gamec stated that Council interviews department heads but not other employees. Commissioner Ebel stated that the people elect the Mayor and Council and tax dollars pays the wage of the department heads and Council should have a handle on that. Commissioner Fischer questioned but are you electing them to manage the workers or to get things done around the City — the Manager would be the one to concentrate on the hiring, etc. That's not to say that Council won't be involved. Commissioner Ebel felt that Councilmembers should be involved in the department head hiring. Commissioner Bertzyk suggested that if the constituents are not happy — that message gets sent to the City Council and they will do something about it. Commissioner Frederick stated that the majority of City Managers do not have full say of the department heads — the Council usually has a say. Mayor Gamec stated that in Ramsey, people have a tendency to think that right now they want the Mayor and City Council to be responsible. The year 2011 gives the residents time to change their train of thought. Commissioner Fischer stated she does not really have a problem with 2011; however, the year 2017, as originally suggested, is too far in the future. The year 2011 also gives a person time to build into the City Manager Criterion. Mayor Gamec stated that the Manager position is an advancement — and it would be good to be able to promote within. Motion by Commissioner Bertzyk and seconded by Commissioner Deemer to adopt Resolution #CH -07 -01 -001 recommending that the City Council enact an ordinance to amend City Charter Section 2.1 by requiring that the City be governed by the Council - Manager plan of Government, with said amendment being effective January 1, 2011. Further discussion: Commissioner Deemer stated that the 2011 date is a logical choice and that the City Council in place now will all have to be re- elected by then. All present voted in favor — Motion carried. Case #1: Appoint Chair and Vice -Chair for Commission Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commission Fischer to nominate Hannah LaMere for Chairperson and Lauri Ebel for Vice - Chairperson. Charter Commission /January 18, 2007 Page 4 of 5