Minutes - Charter Commission - 10/10/1996

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voting pattern. The second reading is done by a roll call vote. Staff was unaware of that being the way it should be done, however, a Councilmember brought that to our attention. The Recording Secretary calls on each Councilmember and they voice their vote. A question was raised by the Mayor as to whether this is a necessary step - does it serve a useful purpose? His comment is that the votes are always recorded in the minutes, individually, therefore, for purposes of minutes, it is effectively a roll call. Mr. Schroeder relayed that in every City he has ever worked in, they have had some roll call votes in some circumstances. The interest to that is when all the Council votes at the same time, you hear some mumbling. When a roll vote is called for, you hear the votes clearly stated. It appears that the Council can ask for a roll vote at any time. Chairperson Steffen stated that he read through the history of this matter that staff sent out with the agenda. He also recollected that there was not an issue with the vote on ordinances, it was more an issue on the reading of them. If we exceed to the concept in that it does not have to be in the Charter to perform a roll call vote, we can simply delete the sentence. Commissioner Anderson felt that if the legislature of the City is to be done by the Charter, if an ordinance is to be voted by roll call, maybe it's important to have a roll call vote. She inquired how long it takes. Mr. Schroeder responded that the issue is not doing the roll call vote, it's how the roll call vote should be handled. More importantly, the way things happen is people count votes. If you are unsure as to the vote count and you have to vote f'u:st, that puts you in a difficult situation. He felt it's a somewhat important issue as to how decisions are made. How do you do the roll call - rotate? - alphabetically? Chairperson Steffen felt that issue would be decided by Council procedures. Mr. Schroeder stated that Council has never called for a roll call vote before. Commissioner Swokowski thought that the ultimate purpose of a roll call vote is if you are not certain what the vote is - and the other issue is accountability. When the issue is close and you do not know how to call it, there should be a roll call vote. He liked the accountability of each Councilmember. It's not bad to have, but any member can call for a roll call vote on any issue. Chairperson Steffen suggested that about five years ago, it was determined that counties would perform roll call votes when the issue dealt with expenditures. He thought it may be that way for local government also. Mr. Steffen felt that the Commission is discussing something where State Statutes would apply. What's the penalty in failing to do what it calls for? Can you question an ordinance if it's not voted on properly? Commissioner Anderson suggested that until we find out what the State Statutes says, we should not change anything. Chairperson Steffen felt that the City Council ought to say this is the procedures we are operating under. It's Robert's Rules except.., and list the exceptions. There should be a Council procedures manual. It could be changed but at least you have written rules. The question is, should the Charter Commission recommend these rules. He felt that may be interfering. Motion by Commissioner Swokowski and seconded by Commissioner Kiefer to table action on this issue until the next Charter Commission meeting and further investigation into what specifically the State Statutes say relating to this. Charter Commission/October 10, 1996 Page 2 of 5