Curt Sorenson, Charter committee chair and former Chatfield mayor, reported at the March 26 city council meeting that members of the Charter commission have proposed amending the city charter to add the position of “city manager.”
During a public hearing, the issue that troubled some was the authority to hire and fire public employees that would be part of a city manager’s responsibility. Sorenson explained that, after a considerable amount of discussion about creating a “city administrator” position as opposed to a “city manager” position, the commission recommended the city manager position. The city manager is expected to provide professional management of day to day operations including hiring and firing of personnel.
Gary Ruskell, who noted he sat in Joel Young’s chair 30 years ago, said he agreed 90% with the commission. However, he was concerned about the authority to hire and fire public employees. He asked what recourse an employee would have if the manager simply didn’t like a particular employee and decided to fire that employee. Giving a city manager this authority takes away some council authority, whose members are elected by the citizenry.
Ruskell maintained he preferred the city administrator structure, which is essentially the way the city government has been operating over the last 25 years. It just hasn’t been spelled out in the city’s charter.
Sorenson noted the same question was discussed in committee. If all power is held by the council, it takes just three people to turn things around. Ruskell argued that this would be due process and why we vote. Sorenson added there has been some concern that in the future possibly no one will run for the positions of mayor or councilor.
Councilor Paul Novotny said the only difference in the job descriptions of city administrator and city manager is the ability of the latter to hire and fire employees. We are really deciding who will have the responsibility to hire and fire. He said, if the council doesn’t agree with the city manager, then the council will have to deal with that. Novotny maintained we now use a “point” process when hiring. He expects a city manager would sometimes involve a department head or the personnel committee when making these decisions.
Councilor Joshua Broadwater suggested he (Young) already does the job of manager, just without the title. Councilor Mike Urban explained citizens come to us/city council. He added that he was on the fence when it comes to giving out that much authority.
Novotny made it clear the city does run currently like it has a city administrator. He added at first he felt like Urban, but realized the council ultimately still has control. Novotny commented, “I don’t really want to be involved in the hiring and firing.”
Sorenson said by an overwhelming consensus the committee doesn’t think the council should be responsible for day to day operations. They recommend a professional manager.
Mayor Russ Smith explained that this kind of change to the charter, if done by ordinance, requires a unanimous decision on the second consideration. City Attorney Fred Suhler called it an extraordinary process because it requires all to agree. Another option may be a public referendum. Suhler added we are operating now under a city administrator/manager format and we have a talented person in that position. What if he wasn’t here? Suhler said there have been city councils that have taken control back from a city manager.
Joel Young reminded councilors that there is a specific proposal from the Charter commission; you have to deal with it.
The council voted on the first consideration of Ordinance 433-Amendments to the Charter of the city of Chatfield. The motion passed with three for (Novotny, Broadwater, and McBroom) and two against (Urban and Bluhm). This ordinance will be brought back for the second consideration. If there isn’t a unanimous vote, it could possibly go back to the Charter commission, the council could develop its own proposal, or it could go to a public referendum.
Other business in brief
• The second consideration and publication was approved for three ordinances: Ordinance #430-Sunday Liquor Hours, Ordinance #431-Exterior Storage, and Ordinance #432-Metes & Bounds Subdivision.
• Brian Burkholder reported that street sweeping will begin in April.
• Pam Bluhm reported on the Public Services committee, which is considering the elimination of the licensing of cats and dogs.
• Use of the parks was approved for the Crohn’s Disease/Diabetes 5K run/walk on Saturday, April 21, Groen Park.
• Approval was given to purchase three high definition cameras for CCTV at a total cost of $5,247.