4.4. SR 01-21-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Board and Commission Residency Requirement Background Information Page 4 January 13, 2003 ability to recommend or propose a tax levy or fee increase allow only residents of the city of Ell< River on the board or commission." Councilmember Farber indicated concern in the matter of the Ice Arena Commission being included in the residency requirements. He stated that the Ice Arena Commission is more complicated due to its relationship with Youth Hockey, and that the issue should be tabled to be presented at a future meeting allowing for public input. He further noted that he would not be opposed to the residency requirement if the Ice Arena Commission were excluded. City Attorney Peter Beck indicated that Council may amend the city code with respect to each commission in separate ordinance amendments, or amend the ordinance with a straight-across-the-board residency requirement. In either event, he advised staff to prepare draft ordinance amendments to be reviewed by Council at a future meeting. Councilmember Matin indicated that when seeking board and commission applicants, there could be a lack of qualified or interested Elk River Residents. He stated that there may be highly qualified non-resident business owners in the city of Elk River that (under a residency requirement) would be disqualified. COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CODE FOR EACH BOARD AND COMMISSION REGARDING RESIDENCY, REQUIRING MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AND TO ALLOW CURRENT NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS TO BE GRANDFATHERED- IN TO ALLOW THEM TO FULFILL THEIR CURRENT TERM, AND SERVE ONE MORE TERM ON THAT BOARD OR COMMISSION; AND THAT THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ACTION AT A FUTURE MEETING, AND THAT COUNCIL TAKE PUBLIC INPUT AT THE MEETING IN WHICH THE ISSUE IS DISCUSSED. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. Councilmember Matin indicated that he would prefer to see a preference shown in the city's ordinance for residency, but not a total disqualification. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-2. Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz and Thompson voted aye. Councilmembers Motin and Farber voted nay. 6. 1/25/99 Council Minutes 6.3. Consider Ordinance Amendments Relatinq to Residency on Boards and Commissions City Clerk Sandra Peine distributed revised draft ordinances and stated that per Council direction, staff has prepared ordinance amendments relating to residency on boards and commissions. She stated that each amendment is drafted with language allowing only Elk River residents to serve on commissions, and that ordinances have been drafted for each individual commission. She further stated that the ordinance amendments include language allowing non- residents currently serving on commissions to be grandfathered-in for one more term. S:\CLERK\BOARDCOM\HistoryLResidency Requirements Background.doc