City Council Minutes 2001 08 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Louisville City Council Meeting August 21,2001 Page 7 · Article 5-9 Code of Ethics (i). No employee shall request or direct the use of an employee's working time for the City. Davidson noted that supervisors are employees. He did not believe there would be a working government unless there was some sort of supervision. · Article 8-4 City Clerk; City Treasurer (a) (c). The City Manager shall appoint a qualified person to serve as the City Clerk and City Treasurer. Davidson stated that the citizens want those positions to be elected. · Article 12-2 Municipal Taxation. Davidson stated that this provision greatly expands the power of the City to create new taxes. · Article 12-5 Improvement Districts. Davidson stated that this provisions allows the City Council to establish Improvement Districts, however there is no requirement that there be a vote of the people of the district. He felt it was a form of taxing, without requirement of an election. · Article 13-2 Utilities (b) (4). Provides a reasonable return on the City's investment in utility properties and capital investments. Davidson stated that the City currently does not get a reasonable return on capital investments. He stated that the total value of City utilities is 70 million dollars. He voiced belief that provisions in the Charter would increase the monthly water and sewer utility bills. · Article 15-4 Open Space. Classification and Management of Open Space. Davidson stated that the Charter Commission members had good intentions of protecting open space land. However, certain provisions are in conflict with deed restrictions on open space land jointly owned with other entities, and open space land donated by developers. He also voiced concern over management provisions, which would prevent the City from controlling pests on Open Space. Davidson noted that the Charter Commission voted to approve the charter as written and that he had abstained from voting. He stated that after discussion with many Louisville residents, he could not support the Charter. Brown stated that many of the concerns raised this evening are somewhat exaggerated; for example: · Article 5-9 Code of Ethics (i). Brown stated that this provision was taken directly from the existing Ethics Ordinance. He stated that the provision must be reviewed in its entirety and not piece by piece. He felt that the provision is appropriate. Brown asked Mayor Davidson to reconsider many of his comments, as the Charter provisions are open to different interpretations. He encouraged the citizens to look hard at the issues. He stated that he strongly supports the Charter. Davidson reread the provision in question and stated that it addresses two subjects, directing an employee and directing an employee for personal or private purposes. Brown stated that he has a different interpretation of the provision.