City Council Minutes 2001 06 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Louisville City Council Meeting June 5, 2001 Page 4 Anderson reported that the Commission has begun the actual study and drafting process° She stated that the structure of the City Council will remain six members elected by wards and the Mayor elected at-large. She noted the main change is Council taking office at the first regular meeting following the election. She reported that the Commission has discussed the initiation, referendum and recall process and will follow state statutes. The Commission has reviewed the legal and judiciary functions of the Charter. Future items for discussion will be finance, budget, boards, and commissions~ She stressed that all the Commission members are working diligently and hope the Charter will be before the Council by their second meeting in August. Anderson addressed the proposed budget, noting that Tammy Tanoue, of Griffiths, Tanoue, Light, Harrington and Dawes, was hired as legal counsel, with Kathleen Harrington as alternate. She noted that the Outreach/Education item of the budget is for two mailings and the printing costs for information on the proposed Charter. Mayer stated that the $20,000 was budgeted for the Home Rules Charter Commission. He voiced concern with the request for an additional $7,500 and its impact to the overall budget. He asked, in terms of legal counsel, if the Commission has made use of existing Charters to minimize the requirements for legal counsel. Anderson stated that the Commission has four recent Charters from other communities and have access to Charters on the Colorado Municipal League and State Statue Web Sites. She noted that they have taken Tanoue's recommendation and are using the City of Loveland's Charter as a guideline. Mayer voiced his opinion that the $2,500 budget item for Bond Counsel was more than needed. Anderson stated that she was told that the estimate represents approximately eight hours of work, which is a reasonable estimate for what the Commission might need. Mayer asked City Administrator Simmons what Council was being asked to approve~ Simmons stated that Council is asked to approve the Charter Commission Budget in excess of $20,000. He noted that it is done by a fund basis rather than an activity or line- by-line basis. He stated as long as the fund itself is balanced, a supplemental appropriation request is on an item-by-item basis. Mayer stated that the $7,500 overage will impact the budget somewhere and noted that those budgets encumbered should be identified, as it may effect decisions in the future. Sisk commented that when the City of Loveland performed their home rule charter conversion, the legal expense for Tanoue was between $17,000 and $20,000. He stressed that they reviewed expenses of other municipalities during their home rule process. He noted that Bond Counsel would review self-collection of sales tax to ensure that the City complies with state regulations. Sisk stated that the Home Rule Charter Commission is fortunate to have Annette Anderson as Chairperson, and he commended her on her 4