07-24-2023 CC (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 and Establishing a Vice Acting Mayor. City Attorney Riggs requested the Council introduce an Ordinance that would amend Section 31.001(B) of the Mound View City Code regarding the composition of the City Council and establishing a Vice Acting Mayor. He explained this was an administration matter that would allow the Council to appoint a Vice Acting Mayor in the event the Acting Mayor was not available. He noted this language could be added to the City Charter as well, but he did not believe this was necessary. Council Member Lindstrom stated he would be interested in hearing from the Charter Commission to see if they were interested in making an amendment. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, explained the Charter states in Section 203 – Council Composition, that the Council shall be composed of a Mayor and four Councilmembers and that in the event of a Mayor vacancy that the Acting Mayor is the Mayor. While he believed this was a prudent thing to do, he believed taking action by Ordinance would be illegal or malfeasance. He stated there was no position of Vice Acting Mayor within the Charter. He recommended the City Council bring this item to the Charter Commission in the form of an Ordinance and that it be brought forward in that matter. Council Member Lindstrom asked how long it would take for the Charter Commission to take action on the proposed Ordinance. Mr. Amundsen discussed how Council initiated language changes had to be dealt with and stated this would become a ballot matter. He explained he did not object to the proposed position, however per City Charter it was not allowed. He recommended the Council approve a Vice Acting Mayor at a meeting, in the event Acting Mayor Meehlhause was not able to attend a meeting. Acting Mayor Meehlhause clarified for the record that staff did not bring this matter forward, rather it was him. City Attorney Riggs explained if Acting Mayor Meehlhause were incapacitated and not able to perform his duties, the City have signing and other Mayoral duties that have to occur outside of Council meetings.. He reported that was what this Ordinance was trying to address. He discussed how Roberts Rules do not carry over from one meeting to another. He understood why the Charter Commission would like to have this language included, however, he noted the Charter was silent on other matters that were covered by the City. Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked if the recommendation of staff was to move this item forward. City Attorney Riggs reported this was his recommendation. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 1005 Amending Section 31.001 (B) of the Mounds View City Code Regarding the Composition of the Council and Establishing a Vice Acting Mayor. Council Member Lindstrom stated this was a tough issue. He indicated he saw the need and the value of having someone in place in between meetings. However, he also understood the