08-20-2009 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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JT CITY COUNCIL/CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING August 20, 2009 APPROVED 91 Commissioner Trehus suggested that it may be appropriate for this city's charter 92 commission to have an attorney present for all meetings. 93 94 Commissioner Sutherland recommended that the general cost of business for the 95 commission annually would be in the range of $3,000. 96 97 Commissioner Lyden suggested that one of the costs of doing business should be data 98 services, including minute taking. 99 100 The group discussed the possibility of having line items within the charter budget — one 101 for general business and one for attorney services. The commission needs adequate 102 resources to do their job of framing and amending in addition to general operations. 103 104 Council Member O'Donnell said his opinion is that the commission should bring forward 105 to the council a proposal for funding that outlines what is needed for the remainder of 106 2009 as far as general charter business, not including amendments. Before discussion of 107 further funding for amendments, he recommends that the commission plan on working 108 jointly with the council to try and reach consensus on principals and also on a legal 109 review process and use that as input for a 2010 budget request. The 2010 budget is 110 currently being developed by the council. 111 112 Commissioner Carlson asked that the commission consider Council Member O'Donnell's 113 proposal for collaboration on future amendments. He is supportive of a fair discussion 114 process. It may have been quite helpful in the past. 115 116 Commissioner Minar suggested that having a council member attend charter commission 117 meetings would be helpful. 118 119 Council Member Reinert recognized that the commission was actually born from 120 something of a disagreement with the council (on roads) and he recognizes there is 121 benefit in being separate groups but working together to get a good result. 122 123 Commissioner Drennen suggested that, going into joint discussions, he thinks it would be 124 helpful to establish roles and responsibilities (of the different groups) up front. 125 126 Commissioner Storberg asked the council members present to state whether or not they 127 support the charter. 128 129 Council Member O'Donnell stated that he thinks there is some change needed in the 130 charter in the area of road reconstruction because there will be a huge bill to the citizens 131 down the line if that issue isn't addressed. He thinks that ultimate consequence was not 132 intended by those who put the charter language in place. 133