EXHIBIT J
000259
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
- City of Riverside
November 13, 2003, 5 p.m.
Mayor's Ceremonial Room
City Hall, 3900 Main Street
MINUTES
PRESENT: Chair Eric Haley and Members Rusty Bailey, Mike Teer, Barry Johnson, Marjorie von Pohle, Marcia McQuern, Gar Brewton, Rose Mayes, Connie Leach, Damon Castillo, Dorothy Bailey, and Stan Stosel
ABSENT: Ben Johnson (excused), Dale McNair (excused), Art Garcia (excused).
Ray Higgins, and William Turpin
STAFF PRESENT: Colleen Nicol, Janis Lowry, Gregory Priamos, and Tricia Ruiz ALSO PRESENT: Ameal Moore, Ed Adkison, Charlie Johnson, David Peterson, Tania Hopkins, Krystal Macias, Kristina Blake, Sue Mitchell, Jason Houck, Phyllis Purcell, Don Betro, and others
Chair Eric Haley convened the Charter Review Committee meeting at 5:10 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the Flag.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Phyllis Purcell supports adequate living wages for Councilmembers at half the salary of the City Manager or Mayor.
MINUTES
Following discussion, motion was made by Member Teer and seconded by Member von Pohle (1) approving the minutes of October 9, 2003, as presented; and (2) approving the minutes of October 23, 2003, and amending to indicate excused absences for Damon Castillo and Connie COMMENTS FROM CHARLIE JOHNSON, 1950 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBER Charlie Johnson spoke regarding his experience as a 1950 Charter Review Committee member and granting the Mayor additional appointment powers, structure of City Council Standing Committees, and primary election of Councilmembers by Ward and run-off elections at large. He feels the City Council should continue to make appointments to City Boards and
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER MOORE
Councilmember Moore thanked everyone for serving on the Charter Review Committee and reviewed his credentials and service on the City Council. He feels the Council-Manager form of government has served Riverside well by providing a professional City Manager to carry out policy. Charter Section 407 language is appropriate as the current and former City Managers CRC-19
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had no objection to Councilmembers contacting Department Heads directly who keep the City Manager informed of issues. He commented on full-time versus part-time Councilmembers and stated he puts in over 40 hours per week. Councilmember Moore supports election of Councilmembers by Ward which creates a closer relationship with constituents and he has concerns about big money having influence on Citywide elections. He supports tying Mayor and Councilmember salaries to an external factor and that the election of the Mayor should remain with the election for Wards 2, 4, and 6. Councilmember Moore supports retaining the current number of Councilmembers and seniority playing a role in City Council Standing Committee appointments. He has no preference in using the term "ward" or "district" and feels the Mayor should not vote on City Council matters.
FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE
Chairperson Haley revlewed the Charter Review Committee future meeting schedule and topics calendared for discussion. The Committee concurred with the schedule adding local preference policy to the meeting of February 26, 2004, and open government to the meeting of April 8, 2004.
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER ADKISON
Councilmember Adkison presented the following issues he supports for the Committee's consideration: (1) review the process for the Mayor and Councilmembers salary and tying their salaries to an external factor; (2) election of Mayor in even-numbered years which allows Councilmembers to run and not relinquish their seats on the City Council; (3) election of Councilmembers at a June primary from the Ward followed by a Citywide election held in November; (4) changing the term "Ward" to "District"; (5) instant run-off voting; (6) granting the Mayor more powers, e.g. Mayoral appointment of the Mayor Pro Tempore; (7) incorporation of alternative life styles in Section 709 dealing with nepotism; (8) expand Section 1109 language to include public works contracts for local preference; (9) Section 704 - Financial statements - City Council should have financial records available directly to them rather than only through the City Manager; and (10) revisit the provisions that allow City employees to run for City Council.
Further, Councilmember Adkison does not favor granting the Mayor voting power but supports granting expanded powers in other areas such as appointments to City Council Standing Councilmembers are full or part-time should not be defined in the Charter as the constituents will make that determination.
Commissions. He had formerly proposed that board and commission members be appointed directly by individual Councilmembers. He feels that the current number of wards is sufficient but staffing for the Councilmembers should be increased. Councilmember Adkison does not that terms limits are defined at the bal of box, except perhaps individual contributions and fels
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
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- Respectfully submitted,
JANIS LOWRY
Deputy City Clerk
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1. Interviewed Councilmembers Moore and Adkison
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