04-13-2006 Charter Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Charter Commission APPROVED April 13, 2006 Page 6 220 Commissioner Storberg stated she thinks the amendment is fine and it is a good time to consider 221 it since there is not a conflict now. She stated there is a potential to have 2-5 Councilmembers 222 on the Charter Commission; however, she does not think this should go to the referendum. 223 Commissioner Storberg stated she supports the ordinance process because there are other big 224 issues that should be handled and residents will not understand this amendment. 225 226 Commissioner Duffy stated she is opposed to the amendment the way it is written because it does 227 not allow for a liaison function. She would like to consider a liaison function and limiting to one 228 Councilmember being on the Charter Commission so there is not a future problem of"stacking" 229 the Charter Commission with Councilmember who have their own agenda. Commissioner Duffy 230 stated she would like to follow the process the way the Statute is written. 231 232 Commissioner Handrick stated she opposes the amendment as it stands but is not necessarily 233 opposed to having a Councilmember on the Commission because she found it to be beneficial. 234 She stated she would like to know the history of this request and why the Statute was changed by 235 the Legislature. 236 237 Commissioner Richard Williams stated he is opposed to the amendment as it is worded because 238 it indicates there has been a conflict. He felt the amendment should state, "to prevent a conflict." 239 240 Commissioner Rosemary Williams stated she is also opposed and would like it postponed so 241 there can be more discussion at the next meeting. 242 243 Commissioner Bor stated that nothing should be mean spirited and this consideration should be 244 done in the context that it benefits the City. She stated she is not opposed to the amendment but 245 would like the wording changed a bit. Commissioner Bor stated she wants to clearly understand 246 the legal aspect in terms of why it is forced to go on the ballot and stated her support to use the 247 referendum process for more important issues like the streets. 248 249 Chair Warren stated she is not opposed to this amendment but is opposed to not having a 250 connection with the Council. Her issue is similar to Commissioner Duffy's thinking to have the 251 amendment changed to the effect that if there is not a Councilmember on the Charter 252 Commission as a voting member, a liaison member will be required to sit on the Charter 253 Commission. She commented on the importance of the Commission developing a good working 254 relationship with the Council. 255 256 Commissioner Dahl stated she comes from the"other side of the table" so she asked to be 257 allowed to make comment last. She stated she believes in freedom of speech and likes 258 Commissioner Montain's comment about the importance of freedom of association. 259 Commissioner Dahl stated she does not believe she was ever a"conflict of interest"to the 260 Charter Commission but felt she was an extension of the Council and could help since she knows 261 who to go to. She does not believe she did anything wrong and respects the people who signed 262 the petition,which is their right to do. Commissioner Dahl stated she would prefer to add 263 language to the amendment,to hold a good discussion, and would support tabling if that is what 6