2011-06-29 City Admin email to Commission Chair re notification requirements

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-------- Original Message -------- Subject: June 8 Charter Commission Meeting Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:10:23 -0500 From: Jim Ericson <JimE@ci.mounds-view.mn.us> To: 'JThomas' <jthomas@usinternet.com> CC: Barb Benesch <barb.benesch@ci.mounds-view.mn.us> Jonathan, At your June 8th meeting, the Commission was discussing council meetings and notification requirements for special meetings. Later, there was a question as to how the Council scheduled its meetings--whether by ordinance or resolution. Then you paraphrased what seemed to be someone else's question regarding meetings: Why is it done the way it is, and why doesn't the Charter specify how it's done? Was that specific to special meetings or all council meetings? As you know, the Charter in Section 3.01 prescribes that the "Council shall meet regularly at least twice each month as the Council may designate by ordinance." Section 105.04 of the City Code indicates that "Regular meetings of the Council shall be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at seven o'clock (7:00) P.M. at the Municipal Hall. If any such Monday is a legal holiday or Christmas or New Year's Eve, the meeting will be cancelled or held on another date and time as established by Council action." Thus, the days and times of the Council meetings are established in Code (by ordinance) and then every year, at the first meeting (usually a special meeting on the day of the first Monday of the year) a council meeting calendar is approved by resolution, which identifies the work sessions (first Mondays) and the regular meetings (2nd and 4th Mondays) for the year, taking into consideration any holidays which might require calendar deviation. See the attached resolution for reference. As to special meetings, aside from the one special meetings called at the beginning of the year, they happen rarely. I think the last one was to consider an employment matter years ago in which action could not wait until the next regular meeting. The 24-hour notice allowance provides the city with the flexibility to move expeditiously, but we always strive to provide at least 72 hours when possible. Regarding Jim Battin's question whether ordinances require a public hearing, the answer is actually, not necessarily. Ordinances that amend the charter and ordinances that amend the City's zoning code (or those that rezone property) DO require a public hearing, but most other ordinances (such as ordinances that amend other parts of the City Code) do NOT. There may have been other questions or matters in which I was referenced as being able to provide some response or background information, so please let me know if there's anything more I can address for the Commission's benefit. Jim