The
Members Present: J. Simson, Chair; D. Kleppinger, J. Jenkins, B. Smyle, P. Taylor, M. Emery
Also Present: D. Gravelin,
It was noted that on p. 1, the motion to hold public information meetings on 2 and 16 April was seconded by Mr. Kleppinger and passed unanimously.
Mr. Kleppinger suggested that the Committee formally accept the City Attorney’s recommendations.
Mr. Taylor moved to approve the Minutes of 7 February 2008 as amended. Mr. Smyle seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Kleppinger moved that the Committee adopt the recommendations of the City Attorney made at the meeting of 7 February 2008. Mr. Smyle seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Members agreed to submit a Charter with the gender neutral and other grammatical changes made.
Mr. Kleppinger then moved to accept Mr. Dinklage’s additional language to Section 301(1) suggested in the meeting of 7 February 2008. Mr. Taylor seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Kleppinger moved to accept the changes to Sections 1304(c) and 1903(1) as recorded in the Minutes of 7 February 2008. Mr. Taylor seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Gravelin said that with the next draft of the Charter, he will include all changes made tonight and at previous meetings.
Mr. Simson said he felt there should be language to integrate this concept with any existing neighborhood forums.
CITY CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
20 FEBRUARY 2008
PAGE 2
It was suggested there be a paragraph to say that the City Council/city staff shall support efforts of forums originating in neighborhoods. Mr. Taylor expressed concern with committing the time and efforts of city staff.
Mr. Taylor also expressed concern with mandating that any voting take place at the neighborhood forums. He said there could be issues with people from other neighborhoods, or even other towns, who were present voting on a neighborhood issue. Mr. Kleppinger said what was important was for the City Council/city staff to have a sense of what the community thinks and feels.
A suggestion was made that instead of neighborhood forums that there be a mandate to hold City Council meetings in various locations in the city. After discussion, the Committee agreed to the following language: “The City Council shall meet, as appropriate, twice a year in each of the elementary schools.”
Members agreed to remove the language regarding voting from the “neighborhood forum” proposal. The final sentence of the proposal now reads: “Recommendations adopted by a neighborhood forum are advisory.
Members also agreed that there be language presented regarding the neighborhood forums and also the City Council meetings to be held at the elementary schools.
It was noted that the city is looking toward a vote on the
revised City Charter in the Novembers election when there will be the most
citizen participation. It was agreed
that the proposed Charter language be posted on the City’s website (the
existing City Charter can be found on the State of
Mr. Simson agreed to try to compose language for a lead paragraph and also to describe the three forms of government the Committee considered. He asked other members to follow up on language feedback while he’s away during early March.
It was agreed that the press release would go out on 13 March and that 2 other pieces of information would go out so as to appear in the Other Paper on the 20th and 27th of March. The first of these would focus on the forms of government considered by the Committee, and the second would focus on the question of “wards vs. at large” voting and also neighborhood forums.
Mr. Taylor suggested that someone meet with The Other Paper staff on this and to be sure there is a reporter at the public forums.
CITY CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
20 FEBRUARY 2008
PAGE 3
4. Review of Outstanding Issues:
Members briefly reviewed the question of whether a person
who holds a City office (City Council or School Board) should be allowed to
hold a State office. On the “pro” side,
it was thought that holding both positions would make the person more
knowledgeable about issues that might affect the City. On the “con” side, there is the issue of
potential conflict of interest. Mr.
Taylor suggested that
Members agreed to meet on 27 March to review the above issue and to finalize the “bullet” list.
Ms. Jenkins volunteered to redo the press release for its final form.
Members agreed to make no changes relating to the content of the Annual Report.
Members agreed to make no changes to the section on Appeals and Late Fees.
The Committee agreed to let the City Attorney deal with the section on Fines.
Members also agreed not to try to tackle a “glossary.”
As there was no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.