08/19/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 8/19/2003 Charter Review Commission would have been appointed in its entirety by members of Council. The amended legislation calls for a standing Charter Review Commission, which shall consist of seven instead of nine members, four of whom shall be appointed by City Council and three by the Mayor, each of a five-year term. The Mayor shall have the right to remove any appointed member for cause with the approval of two-thirds of the members of Council. This new Charter Review Commission shall begin in January of 2005 and every five years thereafter the committee shall meet to review the City Charter. Within six calendar months of the first meeting, they shall report out to Council. In addition to the Charter Review Commission as previously set forth, the commission shall meet and review for recommendation all ordinances and resolutions introduced before Council that propose amendments to the City Charter. The commission shall then respond to Council within 60 days, and Council shall take no final action regarding such ordinance or resolution during the said 60 day period. The Charter amendment language on the ballot shall read as follows: "Shall Article XIV of the City Charter be amended so as to provide for a standing Charter Review Commission composed of seven members appointed by the Mayor and Council to review all proposed amendments to the City Charter." The Mayor's comment was that this ordinance seems reasonable to him. The Law Director's comment was that this is a good government issue in that we have followed all legal proceedings required in order to place this on the ballot for this November. The committee recommended unanimously to agree to recommend approval of the ordinance, and it will be passed under suspension of the rule. ^ Potential uses for the old library site. The meeting was called as a result of a letter from Mrs. Kasler to the Mayor requesting that he provide an update of negotiations. At this point, Council is still waiting for a response from the agency hired, Leslie Baker & Associates, to do the appraisal. Basically, all activity hinges on receiving that appraisal. The Mayor was reminded that Council stands ready to act to any proposal that the Mayor brings forwazd to Council, and that it is his responsibility to do just that. The old library is roughly 12,000 square feet. The Mayor has met with school superintendent Dr. Stank, and it is clear that their intention is to purchase the entirety of the building, though they would entertain discussing leasing space back to our Law Department. Speculation was made about the value of the current building. It was pointed out that the old library building is currently insured for $1.3 million, which is a replacement-type policy so it probably does not reflect the value of the property. The Mayor has also met with Terry Bennett from Bennett Builders. He remarks that the building is in excellent shape and that the carpeting is a full complete layout of carpeting, there aze not cut-outs for various book shelves and stations. So, as to remodeling, carpeting at least will be a cost savings issue. It is anticipated that the Law Dept. will need approximately 2,700 square feet and those costs were discussed both as to renovation and utility costs that have been incurred over the last several yeazs. Also, in addition to the Law Dept., there is an opportunity to consider in that 2, 700 square feet the departments of Personnel and Human Resources. Other ideas for using this site that still remain on the table are use as a cultural arts center, a youth center, meeting rooms, possible rental to various other governmental agencies such as the County Health Dept. and EPA. Another option 11