1999-09-01 MinutesRICHFIELD CHARTER COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes for
September 1, 1999
Call to Order:
President Amy Krauss called the members to order at 7:00 pm in the Heredia Room of the Richfield
City Hall.
Roll Call:
Present: Dorothy Holstrom, Gordon Anderson, Jan Anderson, Amy Krauss, Gertrude Ulrich, Paul
Muilenberg, Joe Novak, Richard Morey and Amy Zabransky.
Absent: Edward Thom, Gordon Herrboldt, Jane Hendrickson, Gloria Gordon, Annette Margarit and
Winthrop Zocher.
Nine members being present, a quorum was announced.
Minutes:
Secretary Jan Anderson submitted an amended version of the August 4, 1999 meeting Minutes
previously sent to members. Motion by Gordon Anderson and second by Amy Zabransky was made
to approve the amended Minutes. Motion carried.
Report of Officers: There was no report of officers.
Committee Report:
Section 8.04 Study Committee:
A Summary of the meeting of the special committee to study Section 8.(14 of the City Charter was
submitted. Discussion centered on the ambiguity of Section 8.04 in its current form,
primarily regarding 1) confusion about when a public hearing is called for relating to design
/engineering costs exceeding $75,000, and 2) if a public hearing is called for, before design!
engineering costs are expended, when the associated capital improvement exceeds $500,000.
The three alternative changes presented within the Summary were reviewed and amended (attached).
It was moved and seconded to remove the second and third alternatives~'~ from consideration. The
motion carried.
Discussion of the f rst alternative centered on the purpose and effect of public hearings, the timing of
public hearings, and the need for efficiency in the governing process. It was generally agreed that the
first alternative did clarify the irrtent of Section 8.04 by treating design/engineering projects and
capital improvement projects separately. A motion was made and seconded to amend the first
alternative, deleting the 30 day time restriction~Z~ prior to approval of design/engineering and capital
improvement projects exceeding the stated estimated caps, as well as the 60 day time restriction~3~
prior to approval of a referendum authorizing expenditures of the estimated caps. ,The motion
carried.
Motion was made and seconded to remove the entire section in the second paragraph of the first
alternative referring to referendums~4~. The motion failed.
The need for a public hearing on a capital improvement exceeding the stated cap prior to approval of
a referendum to authorize expenditure of these funds was discussed. Motion was made and seconded
to change the word "a"~5~ to "the" in the last sentence of the second paragraph of the first alternative.
• The motion carried.
- Continued -
RICHFIELD CHARTER COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes for September 1, 1999
Committee Report: / (Continued)
Section 8.04 Study Committee:
Page 2
A motion was made by Amy Zabransky and seconded by Joe Novak to replace Section 8.04 with the
first alternative, as amended above, which is:
"Approval by Ordinance. Prior to spending or contracting to spend any City funds for design
and/or engineering services related to any City capital improvement, the Council shall make a
good faith estimate as to the total ex~nses for such design and/or engineering services. If the
good faith estimate exceeds $75,000.00, then the Council shall hold a public hearing prior to
approving the expenditure for the design and/or engineering services.
Prior to spending or contracting to s
engineering services, on any City ca
estimate as to the total expenses for
exceeds $500,000.00, then the Cour
expenditure for the capital improves
determine whether or not to expend
for the capital improvement, the Coy
~d any City funds, other than funds for design or
~l improvement, the Council shall make a good faith
;h capital improvement. If the good faith estimate
shall hold a public hearing prior to approving the
it, or, in the case where a referendum will be held to
ids on the capital improvement or to approve financing
it shall hold the public hearing prior to the referendum."
Committee Report: (Continued)
Nominating Committee:
Amy Krauss appointed Amy Zabransky, J~
Committee for election of officers at the J.
Novak and Gertrude Ulrich to the Nominating
2000 Annual Meeting.
Communications: No activity was
Unfinished Business:
Gordon Anderson brought up the subject of absentee members who have not attended several
consecutive meetings of the Charter Commission. Amy Krauss will investigate State statutes.
New Business: None
Adjournment:
Motion was made by Paul Muilenberg and
the meeting was adjourned.
by Joe Novak to adjourn. Motion carried and
Respectfully Submitted,
Jan M. Anderson, Secretary