RULES
COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2005
7:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Hackworth called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Hackworth were present. Mr. O’Brien was absent. Others present were: Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 10, 2005, Regular Meeting. Mr. Sabatino moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:
A. Updates on advertisements for vacant positions on various Boards/Commissions. Mr. Hackworth stated Mrs. Yartin had provided the Committee with copies of the applications received to date for the vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Tree Commission, and Personnel Appeals Board. Mr. Hackworth and Mr. Sabatino stated they felt the advertisement should be run one more time to allow for more applications to be submitted. He also stated Mr. O’Brien had provided the Committee with a sample questionnaire that Council members could use while interviewing applicants. He stated he would like everyone to review it and see if they would like to make any changes or had any additional input to be included.
B. Updates on Rules Committee’s findings/recommendations/questions regarding discussion on Council Rules, Agenda, and Charter. Mr. Hackworth stated one issue the Committee was considering was allowing the department head to brief on legislation during the first reading. Mr. Hackworth stated one issue the Committee was considering was allowing the department head to brief on legislation prior to the first reading of legislation at Council. Mr. Hackworth stated he had some concerns that this could put the department head in a bad situation. Ms Gilleland stated the department head would brief on the legislation and report the recommendations made by the appropriate committee. Ms Gilleland stated she could make the report, but she felt it was important for Council to hear from the appropriate department head. Mr. Hackworth stated he felt if we did make this change, we needed to be very careful on how it is written. Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to continue this on the agenda as he would like to think about it a little more, and he would like to have some input from the law director as well. Mr. Hackworth stated another issue being considered was to allow a specific section of the Council agenda for Council members to make comments. Ms Gilleland stated we currently have “Other Business” on the agenda and that might be the appropriate place for council to make comments. Mr. Hackworth stated he would like some input from the law director on this also. Ms Gilleland stated if the Committee wished the law director can attend the next Rules Committee meeting to answer questions the committee may have.
C. Review and discussion regarding proper notification procedures to report absence from meetings. Mr. Hackworth clarified this was something Mr. O’Brien had put on the agenda and as he is out of town this evening he would like it to remain on the agenda for the next meeting.
D. Update on Personnel Appeals Board investigation. Mr. Hackworth stated we had requested information from Clemons Nelson on some Personnel Appeals Board issues and we have not received that information as yet. Mr. Sabatino clarified this was not actually an investigation, but a review of the Personnel Appeals Board Rules and Regulations. Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to continue this on the agenda and it was not actually an investigation, but more of a review of their rules and regulations. Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to continue this on the agenda as an update on the Personnel Appeals Board.
4. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hackworth stated he had nothing further to bring up at this meeting.
5. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was brought forward.
6. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further, Mr. Sabatino moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Mr. Hackworth and Mr. Sabatino voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 2-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M., February 7, 2005.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk