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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 7, 2012 <br /> APPROVED <br /> 121 that the tax exempt zone section is actually covered within the proposed amendment that <br /> 122 has been forwarded to the Commission for their review. Community Development <br /> 123 Director Grochala added that the removal of tax exempt zone language alone is not <br /> 124 recommended. <br /> 125 Regarding the Charter Commission budget request,the mayor clarified that the council's <br /> 126 request to the commission is for their review of an amendment. A council member said <br /> 127 he understands the request for an attorney to review but he has a concern about the costs <br /> 128 not being contained. The council heard from Finance Director Rolek that the <br /> 129 Commission has not yet submitted any payment requests for their$1500 annual budget <br /> 130 for 2012. The council concurred that the commission has budgeted funds available for <br /> 131 their expenses. <br /> 132 Community Development Director Grochala noted that staff has had discussions with the <br /> 133 Charter Commission Chair about having city staff and attorney Steve Bubul provide <br /> 134 information to the commission on the amendment. Mr. Grochala received the council's <br /> 135 authorization for staff and Mr. Bubul to present to the commission. <br /> 136 7. Monthly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the two items on <br /> 137 the progress report. In regard to labor negotiations,he requested that the council meet in <br /> 138 closed session after the next regular council meeting for further discussion. <br /> 139 8. Transparency <br /> 140 (requested by Council Member Roeser and Mayor Reinert) <br /> 141 The mayor noted that he and Council Member Roeser have been speaking about the <br /> 142 possibility of instituting additional transparency measures within city government. <br /> 143 Council Member Roeser noted that he'd like the council to have discussion on some <br /> 144 ideas. He isn't aware of specific problems but would like to keep a good level of <br /> 145 openness and honesty. He suggests that all meetings regarding contracts with the city <br /> 146 could be recorded and available to the public within a certain period to keep all the <br /> 147 information clearly in view. Also for city boards and commissions, any group that <br /> 148 receives funding from the city could provide minutes to the city clerk within a established <br /> 149 period of time. Also candidates for city offices should be voting permanent residents of <br /> 150 the city. Additional contracting rules should be instituted to avoid unfair consideration to <br /> 151 former employees or relatives. These are general suggestions, not specific and are offered <br /> 152 only for discussion purposes. The mayor recommended that the list of ideas be given to <br /> 153 the city administrator and others should feel free to add ideas for better transparency. A <br /> 154 council member noted that ideas need to be crosschecked with laws to ensure the city's <br /> 155 authority. The council concurred that the transparency issue will continue to be <br /> 156 discussed. <br /> 4 <br />