05-05-2005 Charter Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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government simple so citizens and officials understand it, workable and centralized. A good charter encourages and rewards expertise and efficiency in the administration of the city. Discussion moved to the functions of a charter commission and Ms. Retzer referred to page 4-9 in the Handbook document. Frequency of meetings was reviewed: The Charter Commission must meet once a year. Meetings are held to study the city and the charter and contemplate changes (frame and amend). There was discussion on who can the commission consult with regarding existing research/options. Ms. Retzer concluded the evening presentation by offering consultation services available from the League of Cities, which can offer solid provisions and references why the Home Rule Charter City document reads the way it does. They can also assist with an annual law summary and compare other City documents. For new Lino Lakes Commissions, they can provide an orientation to Home Rule at no charge. She also provided a reference "Model City Charter, National Civic League publication, eighth edition, 2003 and the web page for this organization: www.ncl.or . The Commission thanked Ms. Retzer for her review and time. Discussion: Commissioners received a letter from the City Council apologizing for the late communication regarding the Council decision not to meet jointly on April 14. Further discussion evolved to the sharing of a communication (e-mail) from Gordon Heitke, City Administrator by Commissioner Bor. Ms. Bor shared components of this communication with the Commissioners present, stating that she hoped for improved communication between the City Staff and the Commission. Mr. Heitke's stated in the e-mail that he hopes that the session with the League of Minnesota Cities staff attorney was beneficial. He expressed a desire to improve the tone of communications between the Commission and City staff. He stated in the e- mail that it is "not staff s place to change the charter provisions." This was made in reference to the pavement management documents where it is the staff s responsibility to inform Council of the impacts of the charter provisions. Mr. Heitke's e-mail ended with the following statement: "Whether there is any need to amend the charter is up to the charter commission, city council and public as described in the statutes." General discussion between Commissioners occurred in regards to the accounting inquiries in regards to the assigned expense to the charter budget and the staff response to the Commission's inquires regarding this matter. The next Charter Commission meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2005. Meeting was closed by Chairperson Trehus at approximately 9:15 p.m. Meeting Summary submitted by Barbara Bor