08-06-2001 CHCMHutchinson Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 6, 2001
Members Present: Chuck Carlson - Chair, Linda Remucal, Mike Cannon, Roger Petersen, Jean
Peterson, Walt Clay, Steve Auger
Members Absent: Ron McGraw, Virgil Voigt, Don Glas, Carl Bretzke and Phil Graves
Others Present: Dick Schieffer, City Attorney, Ken Merrill, Finance Director and Melissa
Starke, Recorder
Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
Motion by Clay, second by J. Peterson to approve the minutes as presented. Motion passed
unanimously.
Chair Carlson clarified the language used in Chapter 2 Section 2.09. The group decided to keep
the wording as proposed in the draft by Richard Schieffer.
There was also discussion in regards to other enterprise funds such as the liquor store and the
compost facility and their relationship to the Charter. Dick Schieffer stated that typically these
two enterprises are not included in Charters because they are directed by City Staff, whereas
enterprises such as the Hospital and the Utilities are directed by governing boards.
There was follow -up discussion from the July 30 meeting in regards to Section 6.02, Subd. 3.
Mike Cannon re- capped the information his sub - committee had received from Jean Ward, HRA
Director and Christie Rock, HCDC/EDA Director in regards to their feelings on their
organization's structure as it relates to the City. The group decided to remove the word
"agencies" from this subdivision.
Mr. Merrill also gave input in regards to Section 6.03 as far as how new positions /departments
are created or reorganized. He explained that typically a department head will either put a new
position in the budget, which is approved by the Council, or will work with City staff regarding
reorganizations and then present it to the Council for approval.
The group continued on with Chapter 7.
Section 7.06 — the specific dates will be removed
Section 7.07 — Ken Merrill, Finance Director, explained how funds can be transferred. Monies
in a department's fund may be transferred from one line item to another (i.e. from supplies to
equipment). There is usually not an issue if all the monies are in the general fund — they can be
moved within the general fund. In the past, situations have occurred where monies from one
department to another have been transferred (i.e. from Park & Rec Dept. to Police Dept.). Mr.
Merrill summarized by stating that within a fund, the City has allowed moving of budged dollars
within a department (focus has been on the bottom department line) and on occasion has been
extended to moving budgeted dollars between departments if affected departments are all under
one director. Other changes require City Council approval.
Section 7.08 — Increases in budget have been allowed if additional monies are received.
Examples given were of donation by an organization for park equipment, or a vehicle is damaged
and insurance covers repair costs.
Section 7.09 — Mr. Merrill will be obtaining further information if this can be done and what is
authorized.
Section 7.11 — Mr. Merrill suggested this section should address the use of equipment certificates
and will be providing additional information.
Chapter 8 — no changes
Chapter 9 — no changes
Chapter 10
Section 10.01 — There was discussion in regards to the fact that franchises should not be needed
for short-term uses such as sidewalk cafes. Dick Schieffer will create language to be added to
this chapter to convey that information.
The next meeting of the Charter Commission will be Monday August 27, 2001 at 4:00pm.
Additional meetings have been tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 10 and Monday,
September 24.
Motion by Cannon, second by R. Petersen to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at
5:25pm.