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Mounds View City Council November 15, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 15
<br />City Administrator Whiting stated he did not want his comments to be misinterpreted. He
<br />explained that in his understanding, the soonest a response would be forwarded to the Council
<br />would be February, recognizing the manner in which the Charter Commission conducts its
<br />business, by reviewing items at one meeting, and revisiting them for additional work at the next
<br />meeting. He stated he did not intend to imply that the Commission imparted to him that they
<br />would complete their response by February.
<br />Council Member Stigney stated this was also his understanding, from the discussion at the
<br />meeting. He stated there appeared to be some time pressure on these issues, however, the only
<br />item that perhaps is subject to a time frame, is that item pertaining to votes, which might have
<br />some potential for impact. He suggested the Charter Commission consider this item first, as it
<br />would seem to have the highest priority. He stated, however, the other items are not much of
<br />anything, as State Statutes appear take precedence, and the issue related to term limits is subject
<br />to many different viewpoints, in terms of how to handle it. He stated he has no problem with the
<br />Charter Commission, as discussed at the meeting, reviewing whatever the City Attorney presents
<br />to them in the way of interim language, however, there was no commitment to attempt move
<br />forward with a response on all of the issues by the February meeting. He stated the Charter
<br />Commission would do whatever they could to resolve the issues as expeditiously as possible,
<br />however, he does not want the Commission to be subject to the same time constraints they were
<br />previously. He stated the time constraints were uncalled for, from the Council's perspective of
<br />dealing with the Commission. He stated the Commission had discussed reviewing these issues
<br />on a case by case basis, and hopefully accomplishing as much as possible, however, he did not
<br />want the Commission to be directed by the Council that they provide a response, "or else," which
<br />• was their impression of the previous directive.
<br />Council Member Stigney stated if it was agreeable to the Motioner and the Seconder that the
<br />Charter Commission review these issues and respond in whatever manner the Commission itself
<br />deems necessary, he would agree to the amendment, however, if this is not the case, he does not
<br />agree.
<br />Mayor Coughlin stated this was already incorporated into the motion, and he would leave the
<br />amendment as it stands. He pointed out that if three of these items are rather innocuous, as
<br />Council Member Stigney indicated, it should not take long to resolve them. He reiterated that
<br />additional time can be requested, however, it was within the purview of the Council to set a time
<br />line, so that the operations of the City can move forward, and the issue does not continue
<br />indefinitely.
<br />Council Member Stigney inquired if the City Attorney would submit these sections to the
<br />Commission so they are aware of the time frames they were dealing with. He reiterated in his
<br />understanding, the City Attorney would bring forward interim language for the Charter
<br />Commission to review at their January meeting, and the Commission would proceed from that
<br />basis. He stated he takes exception to the indicated time line.
<br />City Attorney Long stated he had focused primarily upon obtaining the language for the four
<br />sections, Section 3.01, pertaining to special meetings, Section 3.04, pertaining to the majority
<br />vote issue, or allowing a more restrictive vote, Chapter 5, pertaining to initiative and referendum,
<br />and deletion of resolutions, and Chapter 4, Section 4.02, pertaining to the filing for office, in
<br />relation to the term limit language. He stated he was not certain how the Council wished to
<br />proceed with the time line.
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