CHM 02/17/1976 CHARTER COMMISSION
February 17 , 1976
MEMBERS PRESENT : Raymond Sheridan , Clifford Ash , Ole Bjerkesett ,
Kenneth Brennen , Elaine Knoff , Jackie Johnson
Robert O 'Neill , John Swanson , Charles Langer
Herbert Bacon , Roy McPherson
MEMBERS ABSENT : Jerry Ratcliff , Peg McChesney
Chairperson Sheridan opened the meeting at 7 : 35 p .m. He added
Ms . McChesney had contacted him earlier and explained that
she was not feeling well and would probably not be able to
attend the meeting .
APPROVAL O MINUTES OF JANUARY 20 , 1976 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING :
Mr . Ash stated on page 3 , the third paragraph , a correction
should be made . The first sentence should read as follows :
"He stated the budget is a valid piece of information which
the people need to make decisions in an election year . "
MOTION by Ole Bjerkesett , seconded by Clifford Ash , to approve
the minutes of the January 20 , 1976 Charter Commission meeting
as corrected . Upon a voice vote , all voting aye , the motion
carried unanimously .
REPORTS FROM OFFICERS :
Mr . Sheridan stated he had contacted Mr . Herrick in regard to
the suggested Charter changes the Commission had submitted to
him. He added Mr . Herrick had stated he had not as yet looked
over the material , but would have this completed within the next
couple of days .
Mr . Sheridan stated he would prepare a cover-letter to the
Council asking them to act upon the suggested Charter changes
so that the Commission may have them back by April . He added
he would indicate the Commission members would like to be noti-
fied of the date for the hearing on these changes .
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES :
Mr . Ash spoke for his committee on Sections 7 . 04 , 7 . 05 , 7 . 09 ,
and 7 . 14 of the City Charter . He added his committee had
discussed these sections at length and that their main concern
was that the budget become open and available to anyone interes-
ted in viewing it .
Mr . Ash stated Section 7 . 04 was quite clear and very well
defined . However , it was the suggestion of his committee that
the words "and shall be published in the official publication
prior to the August meeting " be added to the end of the second
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CHARTER COMMISSION
PAGE TWO
paragraph .
Mr . Sheridan suggested that the last paragraph be deleted as it
was no longer pertinent.
The Commission agreed on these changes .
In regard to Section 7 . 05 , Mr . Ash stated it was his committee ' s
recommendation that the budget be adopted during the month of
October instead of September because of the problem with setting
the mill rate .
Mr . Ash also stated it was committee ' s suggestion that the words
"The budget as adopted shall be published in the official pub-
lication" be added to the end of that section .
The Commission concurred with these changes .
In regard to Section 7 . 09 , Mr . Ash suggested that the word
"November" replace the word "October" throughout this section
in order that this section remain in compliance with other sec-
tions . The Commission agreed .
In regard to Section 7 . 14 , Mr . Ash stated it was his committee ' s
feeling that the budget should be published quarterly . He
stated the City was actually compiling all the necessary infor-
mation monthly . It would just be a matter of tabulating and
publishing the information . Publishing this information quarterly
would make it a little more open and business-like .
Mr . Swanson agreed this would make all the information more
meaningful since comparisons could be made .
The last sentence of that section will read as follows :
On or before the first day of April in each year the
city manager shall prepare a complete financial
statement in form approved by the council of the
city ' s financial operations for the preceeding cal-
endar year , and quarter , which statement may be
published in such manner as the council may direct
and a summary thereof shall be published in the
official newspaper on or before the third week in
April , July , October , and January as appropriate .
The Commission agreed on these changes .
OTHER BUSINESS :
Mr . Sheridan stated the Commission may want to consider changing
the by-laws ,which were adopted on March 13 , 1973 , in regard to
the quorum. He stated they may wish to change the quorum from
eight .to something less . This could be done at the next annual
meeting .
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CHARTER COMMISSION
PAGE THREE
COMMUNICATIONS :
There were no communications .
ADJOURNMENT :
MOTION by Kenneth Brennen , seconded by Herbert Bacon , to adjourn
the meeting at 8 : 20 p .m. Upon a voice vote , all voting aye ,
the motion carried unanimously .
Respectfully submitted ,
Holly •7ibnsager d
Recording Secretary