CHM 06/25/1974 CHARTER COMMISSION
June 25, 1974
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ole Bjerkesett, Clifford Ash, Edythe Collins, Robert O'Neill,
Elaine Knoff, Roy McPherson, Jackie Johnson, Ray Sheridan,
Jerry Ratcliffe, and Herbert Bacon
MEMBERS ABSENT: Peg McChesney, Jack Kirkham, Francis Casey, Harry Crowder,
and Donald Wegler
Chairman Sheridan opened the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
MOTION by Ole Bjerkesett to accept the May 21 minutes with one minor correction.
Under general discussion, page 4, it was Mr. Sheridan who had accumulated the
notes, entitled Suggestions for Review. Seconded by Elaine Knoff. Upon a
voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
REPORT FROM OFFICERS
There were no-significant reports from any of the officers.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
Mr. Sheridan asked the members if there were any feelings towards any of the
comments he had previously made or from the accumulative comments, with regards
to certain sections.
Mr. Bjerkesett said he did not quite understand Section 2.01, under Suggestions
for Review. The suggestion was to add, "Neither the Council nor any of its
members shall direct or request the removal of any person from any office or
employment, which office or employment by the provisions of this Charter. The
City Manager or any of his appointees are empowered to fill by appointment,
provided the Manager may seek advice from the Council regarding appointments,
provided further the Council may refer changes in writing against any officer
or employee appointed by the Manager in the manner hereinafter prescribed for
the removal of officers and employees."
Mr. Bjerkesett felt what is being asked for is already provided for, but needs
further clarification as Virgil Herrick had suggested.
Mr. McPherson said the present Administration recommended no change. Mr. Sheridan
pointed out that through the interim of the Charter Commission, there had been
a change in the Administration, so there are different viewpoints. Mr. Sheridan
felt it should be the Commission's position to review both Administration's
suggestions.
The Commission discussed some of Gerry Davis's suggestions, along with the
past minutes which included other suggestions from the City Attorney, Council,
Administration, and the League of Women Voters.
Page 2
REVIEW OF CHARTER
The following are the final suggestions and action taken when the Charter
Commission reviewed the City Charter:
Section 2.01, Council-Manager Plan and Section 2.02, Boards
MOTION by Robert O'Neill to leave as is presently written. Seconded by Roy
McPherson. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Section 2.03, Elective Officers
Suggestion had been previously made to change the wording in this section.
MOTION by Ole Bjerkesett to change the wording on pace 7, 1st paragraph, to
"The term of Mayor and of each Councilman shall begin on the first official
business day in the month of January next following his election and shall
end when his successor has been duly elected and has qualified. THE FIRST
ORDER OF BUSINESS AT THE FIRST OFFICIAL COUNCIL MEETING IN JANUARY SHALL BE
THE SWEARING IN OF THE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. The Council
shall be the judge of the election of its members." Seconded by Jackie
Johnson_ Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Section 2.04, Disqualification for Appointive Office
Leave as is presently written.
Section 2.05, Vacancies in the Council.
MOTION by Cliff Ash to change Section 2.05, page 7 to read, "In each such case,
the Council shall by resolution declare such vacancy to exist and shall forth-
with appoint an eligble person or hold a special election within 60 days to
fill the unexpired term.
Section 2.06 & 2.06A
The Commission felt these sections were obsolete, therefore not needed.
MOTION by Herb Bacon to delete these sections. Seconded by Jackie Johnson.
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Section 2.07, The Mayor
MOTION by Herb Bacon to leave as is. Seconded by Elaine Knoff. Upon a voice
vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Section 2.08, Salaries and Expenses
Leave as is presently written.
Section 2.09, Investigation of City Affairs
MOTION by Ole Bjerkesett to add to the end of that section, "Any member of the
Council may request in writing any specific information relating to any department
via the City' Manager. The City Manager shall respond in writing within a
reasonable period of time." Seconded by Cliff Ash. Upon a voice vote, the
motion carried unanimously.
Section 2.10, Interference with Administration
Leave as is presently written.
Chapter 3, Section 3.01, Council Meetings
Section 3.02, Secretary of Council
•
Section 3.03, Rules of Procedure and Quorum
Section 3.04, Ordinances, Resolutions and Motions
Section 3.05, Procedure on Ordinances
Page 3
Section 3.06, Emergency Ordinances
Section 3.07, Signing and Publication of Ordinances and Publication of Minutes
Section 3.08, When Ordinances and Resolutions Take Effect
Section 3.09, Amendment and Repeal of Ordinances
Section 3.10, Revision and Codification of Ordinances
All sections in this Chapter were decided upon not to be revised by the Charter
Commission.
Chapter 4, Section 4.01, General Election Laws to Apply and Section 4.02,
Regular Municipal Elections.
Leave as is presently written.
Section 4.03, Primary Elections
MOTION as previously stated in larch 19, 1974 minutes indicating, "Delete entire
section 4.03. Change to read, Primary Election. On the first Tuesday after
the second Monday of each September there shall be a primary election for the
selection of two nominees for each elective office at the regular municipal
election, unless only two nominees file for each elective office."
Section 4.04, Special Elections
Leave as is presently written.
Section 4.05, Judges and Clerks of Election
MOTION by Cliff Ash to change to, "The Council shall at least 25 or 30 days
(according to State statutes) before each municipal election appoint three
qualified voters of each voting precinct to be judges of elections therein
and two qualified voters of the same precinct to be clerks of election, or as
many more or less as may be determined by the Council. No person signing or
circulating a petition of nomination of a candidate for election to office or
any member of a committee petitioning a referendum or recall shall be eligible
to se'rve as a judge or clerk of such election."
Seconded by Ole Bjerkesett. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Section 4.06, Nominations by Petition and 4.07, Nomination Petitions
Leave as is presently written.
Section 4.08, Canvass of Elections and Taking of Office.
MOTION by Roy McPherson to change Section 4.08, to read, "The Council shall
meet and canvass the election returns within 7 calendar days after any regular
or special elections, and shall make full declaration of the results as soon
as possible and file a statement thereof with the city clerk, and said state-
ment shall be made a part of the minutes, etc."
Seconded by Herb Bacon. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
MOTION by Bob O'Neill to recess meeting at 10:30 p.m. until a future date.
It was agreed upon by all members present, to hold a special meeting on Monday,
July 8, at 7:30 p.m. Continuation of amending the City Charter would be
completed at that time, so as to meet the deadline of August 7. (A copy of
all changes will be given to Council and Mr. Herrick, to see if everything
is in conformity with the State statutes and nothing is being left out.)
There were no communications or unfinished business brought up at the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
4evi cec drxi,606
Shelly : rison