City Council Meeting Date: June 4, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Second Reading of Ordinance 1061 Amending the City Code of Ethics, Establishing a Uniform Set of Procedures for Boards and Commissions, and Moving and Consolidating Language Located in Various Chapters of City Code (Chapters 2, 22, 34, 42 and 54) Related to Boards and Commissions into Chapter 2 of City Code (Second Reading).
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves motion approving the second reading of Ordinance 1061 amending the city code of ethics, establishing a uniform set of procedures for boards and commission, and moving and consolidating language located in various chapters of city code (Chapters 2, 22, 34, 42 and 54) related to boards and commissions into Chapter 2 of City Code and termination of existing bylaws of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Human Rights Commission, Park and Recreation Board, Planning Commission, and Board of Appeals subject to future consideration under Section 2-287(g) if deemed appropriate.
Summary Report:
The City Council is asked to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 1061. The first reading was approved at the May 21, 2024 Council meeting.
The proposed attached redline ordinance draft (attachment #1) includes changes related to ongoing board and commission governance work. A new section of code has been added to standardize the governance across the City’s boards and commissions and to replace individual bylaws for most, or all, boards and commissions. In addition, other sections of code will be moved so all related sections are in the same part of the city code.
There was amendment to the Library Board subject to further review from discussion at the first reading. The student voting member was deleted but left the remaining option for up to three non-voting members. State law requires an even number of board members that is unique to the Library Board from others. The prior language of “may” to allow a voting member would cause issues with a three year appointment requirement of Library Board members that would cause issues with how appointments are made if a voting member were included for this board.
An Ad Hoc Board and Commission Governance Review Committee consisting of members of the City Council, members of various City boards and commissions, City staff, and the City Attorney was organized to review various outputs from the board and commission governance review process, with specific emphasis put on the attached draft ordinance. The Committee met five times, including four times focusing only on the draft ordinance. Changes were made as advised, including removing a section of the ordinance related to ex-parte communication and creating a standalone Council policy which was approved at the May 21, 2024 meeting.
Staff and the City Attorney presented the draft ordinance to the City Council at the May 14, 2024 work session and made updates to the draft per Council discussion.
A presentation outlining the changes made from the May 14th work session is also attached (attachment #2).
Alternative Options:
The City Council could choose to leave the ordinance as-is or recommend other amendments to the proposed language.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
ü March - May, 2024 Ad Hoc Committee Meetings
ü May 14, 2024 City Council Work Session Discussion
ü May 21, 2024 Approval of Ex-Parte Communications Policy
ü May 21, 2024 First Reading of Ordinance 1061
• June 4, 2024 Second Reading of Ordinance 1061
• June 12, 2024 Summary Publication in Newspaper
• July 12, 2024 Ordinance takes effect