HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-05/27/1986-AdjournedADJOURNED MEETING
OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
May 27, 1986
5:00 P.M.
An adjourned meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins was held on
Tuesday, May 27, 1986, in the Council Information Center of the New
Municipal Building, 300 West LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Roll
call was answered by the following Councilmembers: April, Estrada, Horak,
Ohlson, Rutstein and Stoner.
Staff Members Present: Burkett, Huisjen, Krajicek
Also Present: District 2 Council Applicants: Barbara Liebler, Gloria
Korell, Dean Duncan, and David Milburn -Lauer.
Council Applicant Interviews
' City Councilmembers conducted 15-minute interviews with each of the four
above candidates. A similar interview with the fifth candidate, Dean Berg,
was held on Friday, May 23.
At the conclusion of the interviews, Councilmember April made a motion,
seconded by Councilmember Rutstein, to adjourn into Executive Session to
discuss personnel matters relating to the appointment of the District 2
Councilmember.
City Attorney Huisjen noted the selection of a new Councilmember had not
traditionally been considered to be a personnel matter. If Council
determined the issue to be a personnel matter, it would then fall under the
list of items permitted to be discussed in Executive Session.
Councilmember Estrada noted he had concerns about one candidate and would
prefer to discuss those concerns privately.
Councilmember Horak stated he would not support .themotion. He added he
felt the process had gone well previously and that"if additional matters
needed to be disclosed, it could be done prior to June': 3 when the
appointment was formalized.
Mayor Ohlson opposed the motion adding he did not feel an Executive Session
was appropriate and that all discussion should take place in public.
' Councilmember Rutstein stated there were times when an Executive Session
was appropriate but added the facts eventually surface.
-361-
May 27, 1986
Councilmember April stated he believed the issue was a personnel matter and '
that private discussion allows for more effective questions. He felt there
was a precedent for private meetings.
Councilmember Horak stated he felt the process was less effective when
conducted in private. He stated he did not feel the interviews with the
City Manager candidates needed to be held in Executive Session and that
other Councilmembers realized that once the process was completed.
Councilmember Estrada stated he felt the process was more honest in private
and noted he was not proposing to hide anything from the public. He
reminded that no vote was permitted in Executive Session.
The vote on Councilmember April's motion to adjourn into Executive Session
was as follows: Yeas: Councilmembers April, Estrada, and Rutstein. Nays:
Councilmembers Horak, Ohlson, and Stoner.
THE MOTION FAILED.
Councilmember Stoner suggested Council select 2 finalists and then pick one
person to fill the vacancy on June 3.
Mayor Ohlson opposed the suggestion noting there was a need to make the
decision now. He added a one week delay until June 3 would allow any
additional information to surface. '
Councilmember Rutstein made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Estrada, to
nominate Barbara Liebler to fill the District 2 vacancy.
Councilmembers Rutstein and Estrada spoke in favor of the appointment of
Barbara Liebler, highlighting her experience, qualifications, and
familiarity with the issues.
Councilmember Stoner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember April, to
nominate L. Dean Duncan to fill the District 2 vacancy.
Councilmembers Stoner and April spoke in favor of Dean Duncan detailing his
experience and abilities.
At the conclusion of the discussion of the 2.nominees, Mayor Ohlson
suggested the roll call of the`' two motions be combined and that
Councilmembers respond with the naW of their choice.
The vote was:
April - Duncan
Estrada - Liebler
Horak - Liebler
Ohlson - Liebler
Rutstein - Liebler '
Stoner - Duncan
-362-
May 27, 1986
' Mayor Ohlson stated the formal appointment and swearing in of Barbara
Liebler. would take place on June 3. The one -week delay will allow
additional input on the prospective appointee.
Charter Review
Following is staff's memorandum on this item:
"The staff has previously identified 15-20 issues for review in the Charter
that alone could warrant consideration at multiple elections. These issues
are primarily housekeeping in nature. Staff is requesting direction from
Council on the. following Charter review issues:
• What is the maximum number of ballot issues that should be
placed on an election ballot?
• What is the role of the Council Subcommittee on the Charter
Review Committee?
• Does Council wish to provide a specific list of proposed
amendments in addition to the housekeeping issues proposed by
staff?
1 • Is the Charter Review Committee expected to review the
housekeeping proposals or just the substantive issues?
Staff recommends that the scope of the Charter review be clearly focused to
minimize the time and cost of the review."
Councilmember Ohlson noted staff was seeking direction on the Charter
review issues listed in the memo.
Councilmember Stoner stated he felt the scope of the review should be
limited to current issues, not a total review.
Councilmember Estrada felt the Committee should determine the issues and
the Council subcommittee would then determine which ones to pursue.
Councilmember Horak felt the Committee should be given latitude to make
recommendations, but should also look at specific items such as:
- direct election of"the Mayo'rt
- Council compensation
- nomination and election by districts
Mayor Ohlson suggested other issues might be issues related to open
' government and the definition of Executive Session.
Councilmember Horak asked that the run-off election provision be reviewed
and noted he thought the 40% requirement was too high. He suggested the
-363-
May 27, 1986
method new Councilmembers are appointed might also be looked at, especially
the requirement that vacancies be filled within 30 days.
Council member- Rutstein suggested the role of the Mayor be clarified with
respect to the Council and with respect to the City Manager.
Consensus was to have the Council subcommittee determine the committee
selection process and to keep in touch with Council throughout the review.
Councilmember Estrada asked that the Committee provide progress reports to
the subcommittee at regular intervals and that a mechanism be provided for
minority reports.
Mayor Ohlson asked that the Committee be encouraged to hold their meetings
at a time and place convenient and conducive to public attendance and
observation, and that the Resolution appointing the committee contain words
to that effect.
Executive Session Authorized
Councilmember Stoner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Estrada, to
adjourn into Executive Session to discuss legal matters. Yeas:
Councilmembers April, Estrada, Ohlson, Rutstein, and Stoner. Nays:
Councilmember Horak.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Adjournment
At the conclusion of the Executive Session, Councilmember Horak made a
motion, seconded by Councilmember Estrada, to adjourn the meeting. Yeas:
Councilmembers April, Estrada, Horak, Ohlson, and Rutstein. Nays: None.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Mayor
-364-