2005 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE

The 2005 Charter Review Committee met on July 20, 2006, at 7:05 p.m. with Acting Chairwoman Malone presiding in the absence of Chairman Leary. Members present were Mrs. Greenwood, Dr. Miller, Mr. Scheller, and Mr. Jones. Mrs.  Merritt and Mr. Leary were absent. Mrs. McDowell was also present.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Dr. Miller moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Scheller and unanimously carried.

Discussion - Creation of a Compensation Commission

Members were provided a request of Senator Still for consideration of the establishment of a Compensation Commission who would have the objective of making recommendations regarding salaries for the Mayor, City Council, and paid members of City committees and commissions. Senator Still advised members that Annapolis, Maryland has a similar commission which meets every two years and suggested that such a commission established by the City Charter for Dover could prove to be very useful to the citizens of Dover.

Members reviewed various aspects for the establishment of a Compensation Commission and utilized the ordinance adopted by the City of Annapolis as a guide and formulated the following recommendations:

A -Recommend establishment of a Compensation Commission to consider compensation for the Council and Mayor;

B -Recommend that the Commission consist of five (5) members, one (1) to be appointed by the Mayor, one (1) by the Council President, three (3) by Council. Members shall be City residents who are registered to vote in City elections. That the Finance Director and Human Resources Director shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members;

C -Recommend that the appointments be made during the Annual Meeting, with meetings to be held as needed, with a report due to Council six (6) months prior to the election, with one (1) public hearing held prior to their submission of the report to Council;

D -Recommend that members serve two (2) year terms and cannot be re-appointed within the next two (2) years.

E -Recommend including a similar paragraph to Paragraph (3) of Section 4 of the City of Annapolis Code, to read as follows: “Upon receiving the resolution of the commission, the city council may reduce or reject the commission’s recommendation, but it may not increase any item in the resolution. The recommendations contained in the resolution, and any permitted changes to such recommendations, shall not become effective unless adopted by ordinance enacted at least three (3) months prior to the elections of the next succeeding Mayor and Council, and shall take effect only for the next succeeding terms of office of the mayor and Council”.

Dr. Miller moved for approval of the recommendations A through E, as discussed by members. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones and unanimously carried.

Mrs. Malone noted that the next meeting is scheduled for August 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Jones moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Scheller and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Malone, Acting Chairwoman

TJL/tm/jg

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