1995-12-12 Minutes.~
CITY OF RJC~EiELD
C~IA.ItTER COMly[iSSICIN ME:ET'ING MiNYTTES
DECEMBER 12, 199
Present: Richard Starieaf, Gordon Herrboldt, Russell Kennedy, Bob Doebler, Joe
Nowak, Inger Palm, Got'dan Anderson, Shirley Johnson, Annette Margarit,
Tom Tjornham.
Absent: Nancy Lindberg, Jane Hagen Hendrickson, Winthrop Lacher.
Excused: Dorothy Holstrorri, Thomas Ticen.
President Starleaf called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
There was a motion to approve the minutes of the October 19, ] 995 meeting. Daebler
suggested the minutes be sued by the secretary. The minutes wcxc appr, ovcd as amended
with the secretary's signature.
There was a discussion of the proposed revision to Section 5.05 of the Richfield City
Charter as described in the ordinance provided to the Charter Canunission by City
. Manager grasser. Various Corninission members described tie purpose of ttie bidding
process referencing Minn. Stat. Sec. 471.345 which was uicluded ui the Corruc>ission
packet. Johnson clarified the ordinance presented by Ivlanager Prosser would tie the
letting of contracts to the State Statute rather than setting a maxunum amount which is ttie
current language of .Section 6, 05 of the City Charter. Johnson waved to recommend
Section G.OS as amended and as contained at page 8-4 of the Charter Commission gacketi
far adoption by the City Council. The motion was seconded by Herrboldt and
unanimously approved. Secretary Margarit will propose a letter fur President Starleaf to
sign indicating the Charter Cornrnission has approved the amended Section 6.05.
The subcommittee an Council vacancies made a report concerning its review of Sectiun
2.t)5 of the City Charter and handed out proposed changes to Section 2.05. The
committee's proposed changes are attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Andersen indicated that he had compared this proposal with ether cities, none of which
seemed to have provisions for extended absences. He stated tine proposal- as written
required a Council member to attend half of the regular meetings during any given six-
rnonth period. It was noted that this change in the City Charter would require a public
hearing in front of the Council.
President. Starleaf compared tine proposed revised Section 2.p5 (2)(vii) to that section
f~~otti the Charter and 'indicated that two plusses lead been lefi ou.t namely, "without goad
w e
cause" just prior to the phrase "to perform any of the duties***" and "on the Council t4
exist." at the very end of the section. The Commission discussed the advisability of
retaining "without good cause". It was noted that."without good cause" was ambivalent
and difficult to deteiznine,~re same section requires a Council member to determine
whether a Council member has failed to perform. hisltrer duties.
It was c{uestioned whether the six-month period indicated any particular six months.
Anderson indicated it was any six months in a row.
1~ urther discussion occurxed including increasing the ntunber of meetings to seven,
application of the section to special meetings or woxk sessions, whether to require the
absence to be willful ar far good cause and removing Council discretion in penalizing
excessive absences_
i~nderson moved to accept the proposal with the changes from the current versicn
properly red-lined. Novak seconded the motion. The motion passed unanitnausly.
I"he proposal for the change in Section 2.fl5 is as follows;
Section 2.05 Vacancies Subdir~isian Existence
(1 } A vacancy shall exist as of the date of death or resignation of a Council member;
or failure ~f a Council Member to attend 6 regular council meetings during a
month ep riod.
{~} (vii) by reason of the failure of the Comicil Member ~r~gese to
perform a~y-ef the duties of a Council Member for a period of 90 clays, as
determined ~ the council, the council shall, by resolution at a the next regular or
special Council meeting declare a vacancy e$ sell to ~.
There was a motion to adjourn and seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.rn.
R especttully submitted.
Annette Margarit, Secretary
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