1995-10-19 MinutesOCTUBER 19,1995 MINUTES
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Prescnt: Richard Starleaf, T)orothy Holstram, Thomas 'Ticen, Shirley Johnson,
Ciordcm A~.iderson, Jane Hagen Hendrickson, Joe Nnvak, Gordon Herrboldt,
Russell Kennedy, Wintharp H. Zocher, NatYCy Lindberg, Tom Tjornhom,
Bob Doebler and Aruiette Mtugarit.
Absent: Inger Palm
Guest: Councilm~mber Russell Susag
7:30 - Ca11ed to Qrder
.Approved Minutes as amended -Motion made by Anderson and seconded.
Mftrgarit to send approved oath to City Attorney for review
Charter_~2_05 - Re._ Absences
President Starleaf received two calls re: absences by Councilmembers
According to City records between 1l /95 - 9111/95 there were 31 meetings
1 Councilmember had 0 absences
2 Council~nernbers had ~ absences - 10%
1 Councilmernber had 6 absences - 19%
1 Cauncilinetnber had, 12 absences - 39%
if a Counciknember is absent often, he/shc is not serving the City well. The President
suggested the Commission review the issue and create a committee to study it.
Kennedy questioned whether the Commission should be dealing with this issue as
pursuant to Chapter 3, §3.A3, page A.f of the Charter entitled "Rules of Procedure and
Quorum of C:ouncil," th.e C'ounc.il determines its awn rules and order of business.
I Iolstrom -The Council has the right to deal with absences, but if they do not, should this
Commission.
Kennedy -Questioned whether Council will discipline its own members.
Johnson -Noted Ordinance ZU5.15 of the City Code provides the Council may fine its
members far absences.
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? Cauncilmcmber Susag stated the Cvde requires C~vuncil to pass a. Resolution enabling
fine and that Caunci.l has not done so in the last 8 years.
Cot.,nci.lmember Susag - Noted the 31 tz~eetings includes 16 regulKr meetings, special
meetings and work sessions, plus intearviews far candidates far commissions. He
recommended the Council follow its own Code.
IIerrbol.dt -Code Section 205.15 (5} rules this situation (a cagy wi11 be attached to these
nninutcs}. The Cotuicil c~ulht to just pass the Resolution. '1'he Commission should .not aet
involved in micro management.
Uoebler -Stated he feared a hard and fast role because Councilmembers' circumstances
are different.
7vcher -The Council should just pass the Resolution enablint; the fine.
Anderson -The C,liartcr Commission should review this issue as Council work coil be
stopped by 2-2 votes
Starleaf -Regardless of what type of meeting, it is the duty. of the Council to be there.
.lohnsvn - The City Council may feel more comfortable if the enforcement mechanism is
in the Chartex, as it would be easier fctr Cot7ncihnembcrs to challenge each other.
Ticen. -Agreed the Cammissic~n should look at what other cities da.
Ticen moved the Chair appoint a committee of five members to examine the issue
of changes/additions Charter. Anderson -Seconded the motiort..
Johnson -Questioned why it matters whether Cauncilnzember's absence is excused.
~vTovak -Asked. C~ouncilmember Susag, whether absences have hindered tite Council
doing business`?
I3resident Starleaf stated that on two occasions in September, there were 2-2 votes;
so the iteyn failed.
Andcrsa~t -Too many absences means the Councilmember is unavailable to canstituex-LS.
Doebler -.Let the Gounc:il itself handle it_
Call the question -
Aye -Unanimous
Apposed - 0
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t Members of fire Committee studying Council absences:
r CJordon Anderson..- Chair
. Russell Kennedy
Gordon Herrboldt
Tom Ticen.
Shirley Johnson
l~residernt Starleaf info~zned the Commission it also needed to elect a \~ominating
Gorninitkee cif three me~nbcrs. The Committee needs. to find at least ane candidate foe
each office of the Commission.
The annual election wzll occur on the second Tuesday in January 1/9/96.
.Anderson nominated Jane Haden l~lendrickson (Seconded - a.)1 in favor)
Ticen. nominated Annette Margarit (Seconded -all in favor)
Hagen Hendrickson nominated Nancy Lindberg (Seconded -all in favor)
Ticen moved for adjournment
Ail approved
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