02-01-2016 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 1, 2016 135 Several members of the Lino Lakes Charter Commission were present. Chair Caroline 136 Dahl, Vice Chair Pat Devaney, Co -Secretary Chris Bretoi and Commission Member 137 Craig Johnson came forward to discuss the request. Ms. Dahl indicated that Mr. 138 Karlson's staff report accurately explains the request. 139 140 Council Member Kusterman asked for an explanation of what brings the matter forward. 141 Ms. Dahl said this particular matter (of receiving assistance from the LMC) was 142 discussed by the Commission previous to the recent change in membership. The 143 previous chair wasn't able to get the necessary research done before her term ended so 144 Ms. Dahl followed up with the LMC when she was requested by the Commission to do 145 so. The ward amendment has been discussed consistently by the Commission for the 146 past few years. A Commission member did research on the matter and got language 147 from other charters, however, when that was sent forward to go to ballot, the city attorney 148 found the language to be a problem and the amendment proposed didn't go forward. The 149 Commission asked to have the city attorney assist with redrafting an amendment but that 150 was feared to be a conflict of interest for him. Ms. Dahl said historically the 151 Commission has used the LMC for assistance, noting assistance received in implementing 152 an amendment removing the term "Clerk Treasurer" from the charter. The Commission 153 understands it is necessary to get city approval to get this assistance. 154 155 Council Member Kusterman asked what facilitates the need to establish a ward system in 156 the city. Commission member Bretoi explained that the Commission's forwarded the 157 matter not because there is full support for a ward system in the city but because there 158 was belief that the question should be decided by the citizens (through consideration on 159 the ballot). The group wants to get the legal assistance necessary to send forward an 160 amendment if they choose to do so. There was a discussion of whether or not some areas 161 of the city feel less represented. The basic idea is to take the question to the citizens. 162 Commissioner Johnson added that the Commission needs this type of assistance and can't 163 do its work without it. Vice Chair Devaney said he is currently neutral on the ward 164 question but he has been concerned about the dysfunctional relationship between the 165 Charter and the Council; he thinks that the role of the LMC to assist cities is clear and 166 that should serve this process well. 167 168 Council Member Maher confirmed that the Commission has funding available in their 169 budget for the LMC services. Chair Dahl said it's her understanding that the 170 Commission's budget balance is $1,500. 171 172 Mayor Reinert stated that he doesn't support having wards in the city because he feels it 173 results in less representation and can breakdown the work of the council. On the matter 174 of signing on for assistance from the LMC, he may have to learn more in areas such as 175 does it set a precedent. On the matter of the council's relationship with the charter 176 commission, he suggests that there's always been the desire but to work it has to be a 177 two-way street. 178