HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-0916 Charter Review MIN
CITY OF
ASH L~t\N D
Charter Review Committee
September 16, 2004
Regular Meeting Minutes
Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair John Enders called the Ashland Charter Review Committee meeting to
order at 7:03 p.m. on September 16,2004 in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E l\1ain Street,
Ashland, Oregon.
Members Present: Roy Bashaw, Hal Cloer, Kate Culbertson, John Enders, Laurie MacGraw, Pam Marsh,
Keith Massie, Donald Montgomery, Michael Riedeman and Carole Wheeldon
Member Absent: None
Staff Present: Mike Franell, City Attorney
Ann Seltzer, Management Analyst, Staff Liaison
Nancy Slocum, Clerk
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BashawlRiedeman mls to approve the minutes of August 19 and September 2, 2004 with one point of
clarification. Motion passed unanimously.
II. PUBLIC FORUM No one spoke.
III. PRESENT A TION BY CA THY SHAW
Seltzer announced that former Mayor Shaw would arrive late. Item was tabled until she arrived.
IV. DISCUSSION OF PRESENTATION BY TOM SPONSLER
Commissioner Bashaw completed the worksheet provided by Sponsler. He agreed with Massie that the
Committee needed Sponsler to provide a breakdown of outdated provisions in the existing charter. He
was in favor of contracting with Sponsler as an objective voice.
MOTION: Bashaw moved that Sponsler be identified as the Committee consultant. His first task would
include a review of the existing charter highlighting outdated provisions, provisions that would service
better as an ordinance and provisions covered by state law. Wheeldon seconded the motion.
DISCUSSION: Enders noted that Sponsler's presentation covered some of the previously listed
"Expectations of the Charter Review and Revision Consultant." Cloer thought the decision should be
delayed as perhaps committee members or staff could perform the work. Bashaw- wondered if City
Attorney Franell would have time. Franell said perhaps by the end of October or November. Committee
agreed that staff was too busy.
Massie would like to see a timelinelwork plan for future meetings before hiring Sponsler. M[ontgomery
would like to hire Sponsler providing him with a specific statement of work. Wheeldon agn:ed, but
beforehand, the Committee needed to identify Sponsler's scope of work and discuss amending the
existing charter versus using a model charter.
Montgomery was concerned that the motion needed to include boundaries as to number of hours and the
amount of money. Seltzer said the City contract would specify these items.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
III. PRESENTATION BY CATHY SHAW
Former Mayor Cathy Shaw noted that the "strong mayor" form of government as outlined in the present
charter has served Ashland well. She believed it allowed options depending upon the specific mayor and
included many checks and balances. With a "weak mayor" form, staff has more power and is not
accountable to the will of the voters. Wheeldon thought it difficult to find. a mayor with management
skills. Shaw noted her lack of management skills, but thought the voters recognized her potential.
Bashaw asked Shaw if it bothered her to have no voting rights on the City Council. Shaw said no, but
when she did vote in a tie situation, it was important. She saw the mayor as the liaison between the city
administrator and the community and between the policy makers and the community. Adve:rsity allows
for healthy dialogue.
Cloer believed the reality of how Ashland was governed was not consistent with the wording within the
current charter. He noted that Sponsler had agreed. MacGraw asked Shaw about the uniqueness of
Ashland's strong mayor form of government. Shaw noted that Talent was similar. She saw a community
that works, has more citizen participation, supports taxes, and executes state land use laws. She also
supported a single focus Parks Commission.
Riedeman wondered how to avoid a potential power struggle between the mayor and city administrator.
Shaw said the mayor "sets the tone." The city administrator's role is to carry out the tone of the mayor
and city council.
Enders wondered about the necessity of other elected officials such as the Judge and City Recorder. Shaw
said these salaries could be more efficient and perhaps it would be more appropriate, but she thought the
voters would not support a change. The community likes the balance of power. When power moves
towards staff, there is a fundamental breakdown. In addition, the mayor is perceived as being accessible,
the staff not so. Bashaw wonders if this form of government limits potential applicants for City
Administrator. Shaw says you want a unique person that values a collaborative process, not power.
V. DISCUSSION OF MEMO FROM PAM MARSH
Committee review Marsh's memo dated September 10, 2004.Wheeldon asked Franell if there would be
legal difficulty with a single subject ballot measure. Franell said if the measure included a fhll charter
amendment, then no. A problem could occur if the charter was broken down into two distinct issues.
Wheeldon asked if a special election could be called. Seltzer reported that Sponsler said had said yes, but
it would have to be held on one of the four pre-selected dates and the City would have to pay the cost of
the special election. Seltzer noted that the City Council was willing to budget the cost of a special
election. Regular elections are held in November on even number years. Cloer said he would lobby the
committee to use a general election for maximum turnout.
Enders recommended forming a subcommittee to look at charter review timelines with their associated
milestones. Wheeldon volunteered to head the subcommittee. Massie suggested staff see when the next
general election would be held, if November 2005, then consider a special election. Wheeldon, Marsh,
Selzer and Montgomery volunteered for the subcommittee. The subcommittee would use l\1arsh's memo
as a guide and attempt to have their task finished within three weeks. Cloer suggested involving the City
Council at key points in the charter review process.
VI. NEXT MEETING
The next committee meeting was scheduled for October 7th at 7:00 p.m. Former City Atton1ey, Paul Nolte
was scheduled for a short presentation. Enders suggested Medford's Mayor Lindsey Berriman as a
potential future speaker.
VII. ACTION ITEMS I RECAP
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
John Enders
Chair
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Slocum
Clerk