HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 05-05-1994 Charter Review Committee
Meeting Date: May 5,1994
Present were: Committee members Michael Logan, Chairman, Don Acker, Vice-
Chairman, Lester Strother, Jean Spieker, City Secretary Terri Willis, staff representative.
Absent: Pat Jermyn
1. Meeting was called to order 7:35 P.M.
Mayor Kelley was present and voiced thanks on behalf of the entire Council for the
Committee's efforts on reviewing the City Charter. We expressed our appreciation for his
continued support.
2. Chairman Logan reviewed the April 7, 1994 minutes. L. Strother made the motion to
accept the April 7, 1994 minutes as written. D. Acker seconded the motion. Carried
unanimously.
Chairman Logan suggested the rewording of one sentence for a smoother flow. The
sentence would read "Chairman Logan asked City Secretary Terri Willis, with the
committee's approval, to send a memo to the Council and Staff for their suggestions for
any Charter revisions" The Committee made note on their copies of the minutes, and a
revised minutes will be submitted to the City Secretary. So agreed by all.
L. Strother explained his interest in obtaining a Winnetka, Illinois (Highland Park) City
Charter. That city ,as is Richland Hills, is a small city surrounded by metropolitan areas.
He feels it is exceptionally well managed and their Charter might offer us some ideas.
Chairman Logan also suggested it might be beneficial to us to have a running list of the
items we have reserved for further discussion. So agreed.
3. The Committee continued the review starting at Article VI: Powers and Duties of
Officers.
Review Notes:
• Section 6.04 City Manager Sub-section 1. Appointment and Qualifications. See
Att: Discussion List.
• Section 6.04 City Manager Sub-section 3. Powers and Duties of the City Manager.
Item h. See Att: Amendment Suggestion.
• Section 6.08 Municipal Court (1) Judge of the Municipal Court. See Att:
Discussion List.
• Section 6.08 Municipal Court (2) Clerk of the Municipal Court. See Att:
Discussion List.
Review stopped with completion of Article VII
L. Strother requested we consider adding a cross-reference section to our charter. Added
to Discussion List.
Our next meeting will be June 2, 1994 at 7:30 P.M.
4. The meeting was opened to the public. No members of the public were present.
5. Meeting was adjourned 9:25 P.M.
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Approved : (� /54L7Chairman
Items for Future Discussion
Paul Wieneskie, City Attorney, suggested the Committee might
consider an amendment authorizing changes be made to the
Charter covering typographical errors . (would not require a
citizen vote)
(3/3/94 organizational meeting notes)
Lester Strother suggested we consider adding a cross-
reference section to the Charter.
(5/5/94 minutes)
Article II : Boundaries Section 2 . 01 . We will check with
the City Attorney on the meets and bounds of City limits,
should they be specified in some way within the Charter.
(4/7/94 minutes)
Article V: City Council Section 5. 01 City Officials . At
this time the consensus of the committee is to change the
amount of the incidental expenses of the Council and Mayor
to $25 and $50, respectively.
(4/7/94 minutes)
Article V: City Council 5. 03 Date of Election: Candidates to
Run for Places : Places Designated. Discussion pertaining
to limit of terms to 3 consecutive 2 year terms then sit out
2 years ensued.
(4/7/94 minutes)
Article V: City Council Section 5. 09 Vacancies . Concern was
expressed over "in the case of only one" wording. It was
decided to check with the City Attorney to see if it is
necessary to provide for a "more than one" case.
(4/7/94 minutes)
Article VI : Powers and Duties of Officers Section 6. 04 City
Manager Sub-section 1 Appointment and Qualifications .
Discussion centered upon the residency requirement implied
in the statement "and need not, when appointed, be a
resident of the City. " One alternative suggested was to see
if the City Council would consider this a more appropriate
subject for an employment contract than a Charter provision.
(5/5/94 minutes)
Article VI : Powers and duties of Officers Section 6. 08
Municipal Court Sub-section (1) Judge of the Municipal
Court. Held for discussion because typos leave some question
as to meaning in paragraph. T. Willis has agreed to check
master copy of this provision.
(5/5/94 minutes)
Items for Future discussion continued:
Article VI : Powers and Duties of Officers Section 6 . 08
Municipal Court Sub-section (2) Clerk of the Municipal
Court . Discussion questioned the fact a 4/5 Council approval
vote is needed to remove the Court Clerk instead of a simple
majority.
(5/5/94 minutes)
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Amendment Suggestions :
Article V: City Council
Section 5 . 02 Qualifications
Change due to conflict with State law which deletes "and
shall not be in arrears in the payment of any taxes or other
liability due the City" .
(4/7/94 minutes)
Section 5 . 05 Official Ballot
Amend last sentence to read "Filing and withdrawing within
time limits shall be as prescribed by State law"
(4/7/94 minutes)
Section 5. 08 Judge of Election
Amend to read "a 51% majority is required in all places, or
a runoff will be required"
(4/7/94 minutes)
Section 6. 04 City Manager Sub-section 3 Powers and duties of
the City Manager Item h. Delete provision concerning a
Grievance Committee . Amend to "Establish a local civil
service commission" with an appeal clause to the City
Council .
/Th (5/5/94 minutes)
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