06-10-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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*1 • * study further the question of whether a revision to the Constitution was needed and if so, what changes were recommended. The Board Subcommittee, Chaired by Independence Mayor Marvin Johnson, and composed of Jordan Mayor Ron Jabs, Buffalo Councilmember Del Haag, and Prior Lake Manager Frank Boyles, met two times to study the issue. The Subcommittee submitted its recommendation to the full Board at its April 18,2002 meeting. After discussions at the April meeting, the Board again considered the revision at its May 16,2002 meeting. Following further discussion, the Board reconunended the proposed changes indicated in the attached document. What are the most significant changes affecting member rights? Some of the more significant changes that members will see in the proposed revision are as follows: Instead of a dues schedule being approved by the members at the Annual Conference, the Board would approve a dues increase only after at least 60 days prior written notice to the members and an affirmative vote of at least 12 of the 18 Board members. The Board felt that the added notice to members and the super majority approval process, actually would afford great member input into the dues setting process, since many cities are not represented at the Annual Meeting, held as part of the Annual Conference. Since there is already authority for a dues increase for the coming year, it is recommended that this new authority become effective for the 2003-04 fiscal year. The Board would be given the authority to set legislative policies and to design a legislative policy development process that “encourages and ma.\imizes” member input. The Board believed that the current process could be improved upon, to provide for greater member participation and to provide the Board greater flexibility to respond to emerging legislative issues. The existing practice of providing designated Board seats for the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and for a representative from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota Association of Small Cities would be formally recognized. The Board believed that the make up of the Board was a core governance issue that ought to be reflected in the Constitution. Since the Board election process is already well under way for the current year, the Board recommends that this change take effect for elections in June, 2003. A formal Finance Committee would be established to take the place of the existing Budget Commillce, The Board felt a standing Finance Committee would be a better mechanism to assist the Board in reviewing and making recommendations on important League financial matters, such as meeting and conferring with the auditor, receiving regular financial updates, and making budget and dues recommendations. The existing Budget Committee, which met only once a year, had duties that were much more limited in scope. --