09/13/2010 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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JT CITY COUNCIL /CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING July 8, 2010 DRAFT 91 Commissioner Drennen noted there are some old concerns that have come up and that's • 92 to be expected but he for one is interested in keeping the conversation going and 93 continuing to have joint meetings. 94 95 The group agreed that the time frame for submitting a proposed budget should be within 96 the budget discussion cycle — early in August would be appropriate. 97 98 B. Unpaid bill from Attorney Marty. 99 100 Commissioner Gunderson explained the current status of the commission's account with 101 their attorney, Karen Marty, is that most of the outstanding balance is owed in 102 conjunction with the commission's response to the city's audit and that when the 103 commission was asked to spend no more money (August of 2009) there were no 104 additional expenses incurred. The charges on the bill were at one time separated 105 according to what was for framing and amending and that portion was paid at the end of 106 2009 and the remaining balance is $1,463.05. The commission is looking for a resolution 107 on this bill; the attorney did put in the work and she would have the option of coming to 108 the city for payment. She believes that the statute allows the city to pay if the council 109 deems it necessary. 110 111 Mayor Reinert recalled that the council has paid some of the Marty bills and he was 112 supportive of paying the bills so that the council and the commission could move to 113 working together. The city attorney has since opined, however, that it is illegal for the • 114 council to pay this bill. 115 116 Commissioner Carlson suggested that it would be helpful to see some legal precedence 117 on that opinion. 118 119 Mayor Reinert agreed to have the attorney look at the question again and provide some 120 legal precedent. 121 122 Chair Dahl pointed out that the commission will have difficulty moving ahead until this 123 bill is paid and would appreciate a legal review and another opinion. 124 125 C. Code of Conduct /Conflict of Interest 126 127 Commissioner Gunderson explained that the commission at one time decided to review 128 the code of conduct language in the city code especially in light of their desire to have a 129 code for the commission. In reviewing the language, they could see it needs some 130 revision and have drafted some language; they'd like additionally to get input from the 131 council. The draft was compiled using codes from other cities. 132 133 Mayor Reinert noted that the passing of laws, policies, and ordinances are generally 134 approached to solve a problem or to pave the way to improvement. There is a code of • 3 —41—