08/24/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 3, 2009 DRAFT 47 2. Proposed Charter Amendment (televising meetings) — City Clerk Bartell reviewed the written 48 report. The amendment was officially received by the council on July 13 and was designated as an 49 amendment by ordinance under state statute. The process for such an amendment is included in the 50 report. Ms. Bartell noted that City Attorney Joseph Langel as well as Attorney Michael Doherty have 51 reviewed the proposed amendment. The subject of the amendment has been found to be an appi iate 52 one for a charter amendment The attorneys have indicated that they have some questions about the 53 language in the amendment, however. 54 City Attorney Langel stated that an ordinance would need to be drafted but, more importantly, he also 55 believes that some language is not clear enough to avoid future confusion or misread. He suggests you 56 don't want more language in the amendment than you need. The "open mike" portion isn't actually part 57 of the meeting so it should be reworded to identify it as a public comment period. "Council work 58 sessions" is not an official term so that should not be included. He would prefer that this proposed 59 amendment be reworked so that it doesn't run afoul in the future. He suggests that the council ask the 60 commission to take the amendment back for more work knowing that it will be returned. 61 A council member suggested that City Attorney Langel be directed to assist with redrafting of the 62 language. 63 City Clerk Bartell noted that if the commission doesn't agree to take the amendment back, the schedule 64 defined by statute must continue. 65 A council member noted that just the council chambers are television ready and there are other groups 66 that use those facilities. There could be cost implications such as retrofitting other rooms. 67 A council member noted that the quality of production has not been defined by the commission nor is it 68 included in the amendment Perhaps just a simple single camera filming would suffice. 69 Charter Commissioner Sutherland noted that perhaps a simple recording device may be enough. The 70 goal is transparency. 71 A council member noted that the idea of transparency should also include charter commission meetings. 72 Commissioner Sutherland suggested that the commission would be glad to have the assistance of the city 73 attorney. 74 The suggestion is that the commission should formally withdraw the amendment, reword it and then 75 resubmit it 76 Commissioner Sutherland asked for clarity on how assistance will be provided to make the necessary 77 changes. 78 The council concurred that the city attorney will work on the matter. 79 Chair Dahl noted that she doesn't have the authority to rescind the action of the commission (there was a 80 formal vote taken on the amendment) 81 A council member suggested that perhaps the commission could allow the council leniency with the 82 statutory schedule. •