07-08-2010 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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law is silent regarding whether the city council, city staff, or the charter commission may make recommendations to the judge. At present, no one appears to do much lobbying. I recommend leaving this alone, unless and until it becomes a problem. The language proposed for Section 1.04 addresses three issues. First, it identifies the purpose of the Charter Commission (maintaining and updating the Charter). Second, it grants the Charter Commission authority to inform the public when it has concerns about a proposed amendment. Third, it clarifies that the City must pay Charter Commission expenses incurred in informing the public about a proposed amendment, maintaining and updating ("framing and amending") the Charter, and incurred to comply with state law (such as a data practices request) or judge's order. That last provision is designed to address the current problem where the Charter Commission has responsibilities under state law, yet has no funds to pay for its work — such as the Charter Commission's its duty to create and maintain various records, yet state law fails to address how the Commission may pay the costs associated with creating, storing, and retrieving those records. DRAFT CHAPTER 1 AMENDMENT FROM OCTOBER 14, 2010: Section 1.04. Charter Commission. The City shall have a Charter Commission comprised of 15 residents of the City in accordance with the requirements of the Statutes of the State of Minnesota. This Commission shall study the needs of the City and its stakeholders and propose amendments to the City Charter, review and act on proposals by the City Council, or by Citizen petition; and/or disseminate information regarding such proposals. The Charter Commission members shall receive no compensation, and shall be appointed by the District Judge. Upon expiring terms and other vacancies, the Charter Commission shall receive applications and submit them to the District Judge for appointment. The Commission may employ the legal and professional services necessary to its functions, the reasonable cost of which, when directed by the Commission, shall be paid for by the City.