January 7, 1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Session 1235, Minutes January 7, 1980 Page 4 This clerical error occurred in the 1965 printing of the Charter. The printing firm should be directed to correct this error at their next normal revision of the ordi- nances. 3. There was also a clerical error in Section 66. At the next printing, the word "Mayor" should be substituted for Councilman -at -Large. Mr. Kaufman said, in summary, that the changes proposed by the Charter Review Com- mittee retain the basic provisions of the present Charter because they are sound and have helped University City citizens enjoy one of the most efficient and effective city governments in the United States. Changes were suggested only where it was felt they would improve city government operation. Mayor Mooney said the Council and the City are in the debt of :4r. Kaufman and the other members of the Charter Review Committee --Fir. Charles B. Blackmar, Mrs. Nancy Bowser, 11r. G. Don Culberson, Mr. Joseph Myers, Mr. Charles [,Werner and Mr. Hugh J. White, and that they had done a magnificient job. Councilman Metcalfe asked why it had been recommended that the fiscal year be changed; and Mr. Kaufman said it would then conform with federal and state fiscal years, in addition to the reasons given in the final report. Mr. Kaufman answered questions from Councilmen Lieberman, Sabol and Adams concerning the residency requirement, how other municipalities and St. Louis County handle the appointive or elective process in the case of a Council vacancy, and the use of the terms Councilman and Councilwoman rather than Councilmember. Mr. James L. Carl, 7110 Washington, asked to address the Council. Por. Carl felt the matter of filling a Council vacancy should be put before the voters so they may de- cide how it should be done. Mr. Carl asked to read into the record a recommendation of the St. Louis County Charter Commission, as follows: "It is proposed that a va- cancy in the County Council be filled by the voters at the next general election or at a special election called for this purpose. Nominations would be made by Commit- tee members of each of the two parties. The candidate elected by the voters would hold office for the remaining portion of the unexpired term." The Commission went on to state it felt a person so elected would be more responsive to the voters than someone who was appointed. Mayor Mooney said Mr. Carl's remarks would be taken into consideration. It was noted that if the Charter changes are to be on the April 1 ballot, legisla- tion must be introduced at the January 21 meeting and adopted at the February 4 meet- ing. Council decided to discuss the Committee report in more detail later in the meeting. Mr. Ellman brought up a point not considered by the Charter Committee. It has been requested by the City's auditing firm (Ernst and Whinney) that the time limit of 45 days be extended to 60 days in order for the audit of the City's finances to be ac- complished, since the City's financial dealings have become progressively more com- plicated, taking more time each year. This necessitates a Charter change which will have to be incorporated into the proposed legislation if Council feels this change should be made. A disadvantage of making this change would be that the complete picture of the City's financial condition would not be available for 60 instead of 45 days after the end of the fiscal year.