Minutes - 1999/10/25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council October 25, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 15 the Courts, and the Council has no direct authority to order the Charter Commission to appear on television. Mayor Coughlin pointed out that it has been mentioned, even in the minutes of the previous meeting that were approved, that the Charter is an "alternative" to the City Council. He stated therefore, he is exceedingly disappointed that this group, which is charged with preserving and protecting the Constitution of Mounds View, the people's document, would even consider changes to this document without providing the people every opportunity to be aware of what is being discussed. He stated, in his opinion, this is truly a case of horrible lack of communication. Mayor Coughlin requested the Council allow him, once again, to extend to the Charter Commission the opportunity to televise their meetings on the City's cable system so that all the people can at least passively partake in this discussion. He stated it appears intellectually dishonest to focus upon televising all other meetings, which was a subject of his campaign and one of the Council's first actions, and not to televise the Charter Commission meetings. He stated he is an advocate of presenting these discussions to the public. Mayor Coughlin informed the Council that the Charter Commission has a budget of $1,100, however, their spending as of the previous Friday, was in excess of $2,500. He stated they have spent their budget over one and one half times what was allocated to them by the City. He indicated there is no accountability, because they are an entity of the Courts, and not the Council or the City, per se, and what more argument is necessary than to broadcast this. He stated he had contacted one of the individual members of the Charter Commission who had assisted in writing the City Charter and asked when the Charter was being written, and all of the legal work and research was being conducted, whether or not that Charter Commission exceeded their budget. He stated he was informed that there was no budget at that time, and the expenses were paid out of their own pockets. He added to this individual's recollection, no Charter Commission in the history of the City, since the Charter's inception has spent its budget, however, this Commission has exceeded it. Mayor Coughlin stated in light of this, and in combination with a question presented as a response to the Council's question, he finds it futile to continue to play "trench warfare" and spend the time of the Council, and money and legal staff to further talk around these issues, which history has indicated are simply discussed over and over again. MOTION/SECOND: Coughlin/ Quick. To Authorize the City to Initiate the Necessary Civil Legal Action Seeking a Declaratory Judgement and Court Order Requiring the City Charter Commission to Amend the City Charter to Bring it Into Compliance with The Minnesota State Constitution, State Statutes, and the Judicial Decision of Minnesota Courts. Council Member Quick inquired if the motion would be better stated to direct staff to initiate this action. City Attorney Long advised the intent of this motion provides that the City initiate the action either through staff or the City Attorney, and either wording is acceptable. • Council Member Quick seconded the motion.