Charter Revision Commission
Special Meeting
April 19, 2010
Commission Members Present: Commissioners Dave Balthazar, Melissa Engel, John Tuttle, Vice Chairperson Julie Ciucias and Chairperson Terry Concannon.
Also Present: Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Town Attorney Jean D’Aquila and Town Clerk Sandi Wieleba
Meeting Called to Order
The regular meeting of the Charter Revision Commission was called to order at 12:00 p.m.
The Commissioners reviewed the PowerPoint presentation for tonight’s meeting and made minor changes.
A discussion as to whether it would be easier to view the slides if the ‘Rationale’ portion was removed and only the old language and proposed language appears. The Commissioners decided to keep the rationale section and use the slides and a handout of the slides to review the proposed changes to the Charter with the public. The draft Final Report will be distributed to the public after the meeting and is also posted on the webpage.
It was decided to change the heading ‘Background’ to ‘Methodology’ and place that page after the Resolution and before the Town Council Charges and Charter Revision Commission Recommendations. The format was bulleted for clarity.
The slides reflect the addition of new language underscored and strikeouts of old language in red.
The purpose of the 2nd public hearing is to present information to the public on the proposed changes to the Charter.
Vice Chairperson Ciucias provided a new Rationale for Section 3.1 Town Manager. A discussion ensued on the wording for the Rationale section.
In response to Chairperson Concannon’s question, Town Manager O’Keefe indicated that all department heads had Blackberrys and the next level of management had cell phones or radios in order to stay in contact with the office.
Town Attorney D’Aquila reviewed the language in the revised Charter to be sure it was the final version as agreed upon by this commission. She suggested that the Commissioners read section 2.1 and suggested amending the text in the last sentence. The old sentence read: “Additionally, no member shall serve in another elected or appointed office under the government of the Town of East Hampton during the term of office for which he or she is elected, except for ad hoc committees, sub-committees, and task forces and appointed by the council and a Charter Revision Commission”.
The new sentence will read: “Additionally, no member shall serve in another elected or appointed office under the government of the Town of East Hampton during the term of office for which he or she is elected, except all entities appointed by the council”.
Section 5.3 Supplemental Appropriations
Finance Director Jeffrey Jylkka suggested adding item 4 to the text of 5.3. Supplemental Appropriations.
Motion by Vice Chairperson Ciucias to approve (4) in Section 5.3. Supplemental Appropriations, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
The addition of (4) was to set a maximum for cumulative appropriations in any year in order to keep from undermining the budget process.
The next text will read:
Section 5.3.
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS. (1) Additional appropriations to any board, commission, or agency not exceeding $12,500 in total in the same fiscal year shall require council approval following the recommendation pro or con of the Board of Finance.
(2) Additional appropriations to any board, commission, or agency exceeding $12,500 in total but not exceeding $25,000 in total in the same fiscal year shall require either (a) the approval of both the Board of Finance and the council or (b) the approval of the council and town meeting approval for any such appropriations the Board of Finance disapproves.
(3) Additional appropriations to any board, commission, or agency exceeding $25,000 in total in the same fiscal year shall require the recommendation pro or con of the Board of Finance, the approval of the council, and the approval of the town meeting.
(4) Notwithstanding the above, cumulative appropriations in excess of 1% of the current adopted budget shall require approval of the council and town meeting.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 5 - 0 – 0.
Section 6.3. Vacancies in Elective Offices
Commissioner Engel moved to accept the new language in Section 6.3 Vacancies in Elective Offices, seconded by Commissioner Balthazar.
The Commissioners did not wish to change the method for filling vacancies for the Board of Education. The new text will apply to all elected offices, except the Board of Education. The new text will read:
Section 6.3.
VACANCIES IN ELECTIVE OFFICES. This section shall apply to all elected offices, except the Board of Education. When a person vacating an office was elected as a member of a political party, said political party shall appoint his or her successor who shall serve until the sooner of either the expiration of the term or the next biennial election, and his or her successor is elected and qualified. When a person vacating an office was not elected as a member of a political party, the council shall appoint his or her successor who shall serve until the sooner of either the expiration of the term or the next biennial election, and his or her successor is elected and qualified. Should the next biennial election occur before the expiration of the term, then the electors shall elect a successor to fill
the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term.
All members voted in the affirmative. Motion passed 5 - 0 – 0.
At 1:43 p.m. Vice Chairperson Ciucias left the meeting.
The Commissioners also wanted to have their final report reflect that they reviewed the pros and cons of term limits and it was determined that the election process has self-imposed term limit capabilities.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned until the next regular meeting of April 20th at 11:00 a.m. at the Town Hall in the Eaton Smith Meeting Room.
The meeting adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Engel and seconded by Commissioner Tuttle to adjourn at 2:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Sandra M. Wieleba, Town Clerk
Approved by vote of Commission, as amended,
April 21, 2010
| 
