1989-02-02 Minutes~~(/
RICHFIELD CHARTER COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 2, 1989
Call To Order: President Jan Cerney called the members to
order at 7:05 P.M. in the Richfield City Hall Council
Chambers.
Roll Call: Present were Butler, Cerny, Collins, Larson,
Lindberg, Louis, Mabone, Palm, Severe, Starleaf
Excused: Doebler, Little, Tjornhom
Absent: Treichei
President Cerney called the meeting of the Richfield
Charter Commission to order at 7:05 P.M. The purpose of the
meeting was to consider the issue of the selection process
for a City Attorney. Council member Mike Sandahl and City
Manager Jim Prosser were present to state their prospective
views on the issue.
Council member Sandahl asked the commission fora
clarification rather than change to the City Charter
regarding whether contracting outside services is a hiring
process or a contracting process for the City. Sandahl says
he believes that contracting for City services is a hiring
process. Sandhal stated that contracts issued by the City
amount to several hundred thousand dollars each year. His
concer is that contracting for such services is such an
important aspect and involves such a large percentage of the
City's budget that the City Council should be involved in the.
selection process in a manner similar to hiring key
employees. Council member Sandahl had another commitment
this evening and had to leave early. He answered questions
of several Commission members before having to leave.
City Manager Jim Prosser proceeded to explain the
Council Manaagaer form of city government. He stated that
the role of the City Council is to establish policy, which in
turn is to be carried out by the City Manager and staff.
Prosser referred to Minnesota statutes on this form of
government and the study The City of Golden Valley had
conducted. He also gave examples of communities in the Twin
Cities area that have it. He feels strongly that system has
worked well for Richfield in the past, and that there is no
need to change from the statutory requirements for this form
of government for Richfield. Several Commission members
asked questions of Mr. Prosser upon completion of his talk.
The minutes of the January 17, 1989 meeting were amended
in that Imogene.Mabone was excued. The motion was made by
Starleaf and seconded by Louis to approve the minutes as
amended. Passed.
A discussion of the selection process for city attorney
took place. No consenses could be reached on the issue.
A motion was made by starleaf and seconded by Larson "That
the Charter Commission will not take. any action at this time
with regard to changing the charter regarding the City
Council involvement in the selection process for City
Attorney." Passed.
A motion was made by Collins and seconded by Severe
"That a letter be sent to Mike Sandahl stating the Charter
Commission would like to thank Mike. Sandahl for bring his
concern regarding the selection process for legal services to
the Charter Commission." Passed
Motion was made by Louis and. seconded by Lindberg "To
invite old timers of the commission to a meeting to let us
know how the commission worked during their tenure. Passed
Adjournment: Motion was made, seconded and approved to
adjourn the meeting at 8:37 P.M.
Richard E. starleaf
Acting Secretary