LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee Meeting was held on February 9, 2004, at 6:02 p.m., with Chairman Speed presiding. Members present were Mr. Ritter, Mr. Truitt, and Mr. Shelton. Mr. Gorman was absent. Other members of Council present were Council President McGlumphy, Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Salters, Mr. Ruane, and Mayor Hutchison.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Shelton moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Ritter and unanimously carried.

Discussion - Charter and Code Review

The committee has had on-going discussions regarding possible Charter and Code amendments. In August of 2003, Council President McGlumphy requested that members of City Council and the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee review the City Charter and Code for possible changes and that any proposed changes be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office. The review was requested as a result of several comments and concerns relayed by members of Council, as well as the recent PAS Study.

Members were provided copies of several sections of the Charter and Code with suggestions for their review and recommendation for possible amendments.

Section 4 - Government vested in mayor and city council

After discussing the various alternatives suggested to amend Section 4, there was no further action taken by committee members.

Section 5 - Council to be legislative body; size; districts; terms of mayor and councilmen; qualifications

Members began discussing Section 5 as it relates to the term of office for the mayor and council. Mr. Ruane suggested that members consider the inclusion of a “recall” if the term of office is extended.

Mr. Ruane also suggested the inclusion of an initiative or citizen referendum. Responding, Mr. Speed indicated that although it is not stated in the Charter, it has been the City’s policy that any issue can be presented to members by a citizen for consideration; therefore, it was his opinion that an initiative or citizen referendum would not be necessary.

During their review of the third and fourth paragraphs of Section 5, Mr. Speed indicated that, due to time constraints, discussions on this item would be continued at the next committee meeting.

Mr. Truitt moved to defer the matter until the next committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Shelton and unanimously carried.

Mr. Speed reiterated that members should submit their suggestions or recommendations, in writing, to the City Clerk for inclusion in the packet for review by the committee.

Proposed Ordinance Amendments (Police Department)

During their Regular Meeting of September 22, 2003, members of Council adopted ordinance amendments submitted by the Police Department that would allow fines to double if not paid within 14 days. When the Police Department proceeded to amend their summons, it was discovered that there were areas of the Code that should have been included in those amendments. As a result, the Police Department requested approval of proposed ordinance amendments to Section 13-6.1 - Obedience to State Law, Section 13-16 - Violations, and Section 14-3.5 - False Alarms to Police, since they are included on the summons. It was noted that additional amendments may be forthcoming.

Mr. Truitt moved to recommend adoption of the proposed ordinance amendments as presented (Attachments #1 - #3), seconded by Mr. Shelton and unanimously carried.

Mr. Shelton moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

                                                                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                     Stephen R. Speed

Chairman

SRS/jg/lcg

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20042-09-2004-LF&A.min.wpd

Attachment

Attachment #1 -     Proposed Ordinance Amendment (Section 13-6.1, Obedience to state law)

Attachment #2 -     Proposed Ordinance Amendment (Section 13-16, Violations)

Attachment #3 -     Proposed Ordinance Amendment (Section 14-3.5, False Alarms to Police, Subsection (c), Violation)