HomeMy Public PortalAboutCharter Review Committee Minutes 07-18-2012 ri41) Charter Review Commission Minutes
July 18, 2012
Community Board Room
Members Present:
Secretary/Vice Chair Jeff Ritter
Member Loyce Greer
Member Janece Hill
Member Doug Knowlton
Member LaRue Wall
Members Absent:
Chairman Bill Agan
Audience Present:
Beverly Williams
Toya Norton
Vice Chairman Ritter called the meeting to order at 7:03PM
1. Read and Approve minutes from last meeting
(July 11, 2012)
Member Hill motioned to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2012 meeting.
Member Knowlton seconded.
The motion was approved by unanimous vote.
2. Review City Charter.
Vice Chair Ritter recommended to the group to begin with Section 3.07 and the list of
forfeitable offenses.
Section 3.07— Vacancies, Forfeiture, Absenteeism and Filling of Vacancies
Member Greer stated that if any member of the Council is arrested, it should be an
immediate forfeiture. Vice Chair Ritter asked if she meant being arrested or convicted.
Member Greer indicated that the police do not arrest for no reason, and that arrest should
be enough.
Member Wall stated that members of Council should be held to a higher standard and any
arrest should result in immediate forfeiture of office.
Member Wall also stated that accepting contributions from any business or entity that has
pending business before the Council should be grounds for immediate forfeiture.
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Members Greer and Knowlton both agreed with member Wall that accepting
contributions during a campaign, or at any time from any business, person, or entity that
has pending business before the Council should result in immediate forfeiture of office.
Member Greer read the City of Melissa Charter regarding forfeiture.
Vice Chair Ritter and Member Knowlton recommended placing forfeitable offenses in
the Prohibitions section of the Charter rather than 3.07 which is intended to be procedural
in nature.
Section 3.08—Powers and Duties of City Council
Member Knowlton recommended adding "which shall be administered by the City
Manager"to paragraph 5 for clarity. Member Knowlton wanted to be sure the Charter is
clear that the City Manager will administer any new department that the Council may
create.
Member Greer recommended adding "in writing and for cause"to paragraph 8.
Section 3.09—Prohibitions
The consensus of the Commission was to keep the language as proposed and to add a list
of forfeitable offenses to the Section.
3. Assignment for Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday July 25, 2012 for the Commission to
continue reviewing the Charter.
Everyone is to bring a list of forfeitable offenses for consideration of inclusion in Section
3.09 - Prohibitions
4. Public Comments
Toya Norton—Stated that 2 members of the City Council have met with a member of a
board to explain procedures, etc.
Beverly Williams— Stated that the Zoning Board of Adjustments had quite a few
provisions in State Law.
5. Adjournment
Member Greer motioned to adjourn.
Member Wall seconded.
Vice Chairman Ritter adjourned the meeting at 8:51 PM.
Jeff Ritter-Secretar Bill Agan-Chairm