Agenda Packets - 2000/05/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council May 8, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 10 stated with the City Manager form of government, there would be a City Manager, however, the Council would also designate an individual on the staff to act as the clerk, to handle the record keeping, etc. He explained that they would not necessarily have to create a new position, but could simply designate that title, with a member of the existing staff filling that function. Mayor Coughlin indicated that currently, the Administrator serves as Clerk, and the Deputy Clerk is also the Finance Director, who performs some of the functions of the Clerk. City Attorney Long stated this was correct. He explained that this would not create a new position, and they could simply utilize both the title of City Manager and the title of Clerk. Council Member Marty stated he would like to ensure that this would not require the hiring of additional personnel. City Attorney Long advised that under Chapter 6.01, Subdivision 3, the Manager would appoint the officers and employees, and also hires and fires them, except in the case of the hiring of Department Heads which requires Council approval. He explained that the recommendation is that if the Council does not approve the appointment within 30 days, the appointment is not approved, which provides the Council with a ratification role with regard to the appointments. He advised that currently, the Council is the appointing authority, and as such, they are responsible for the hiring and firing of all personnel. He stated this would change, and the Council would hire the City Manager, who in turn would be responsible for the hiring of all personnel, with the exception of Department Heads, over which the Council would have some ratification authority. Mayor Coughlin stated it was his understanding that the city of Roseville’s Charter Commission was moving toward similar language. City Attorney stated one of the disadvantages of the current system is that the Council, as the appointing authority, is required to become involved in every potential termination, therefore, if a termination matter comes forward, it must be dealt with at the Council level, as opposed to the City Manager level. Council Member Quick pointed out that by eliminating some of the paperwork Council must consider in dealing with all of the decisions they are called upon to make, the workload on everyone would be reduced. He added that there would be no need to hire another employee if there was less work. Council Member Marty stated this would also assist in the expediency of running the day-to-day operations of the City. Mayor Coughlin stated Council Member Marty’s point was well made at the Work Session, in that a perfect example of this was this entire Highway 10 safety and redevelopment issue. He explained that a tragedy had occurred on Highway 10 which resulted in the death of a young boy, however, Council had to wait two weeks to reconvene to provide staff direction in this regard. He advised that some of this, such as examining the lighting and proposing solutions, should