Rochester Charter Commission Recommends Charter Changes
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Some proposed changes to the City Charter are headed to the Rochester City Council for consideration.
The Rochester Charter Commission met Tuesday afternoon and voted to recommend amendments to the charter's language concerning Rochester's Park and Library Boards. The proposals would shift the responsibility and authority for hiring and supervising the directors of both departments from the appointed boards to the city administrator.
City Councilmember Shaun Palmer proposed the changes. He contends the directors of every other city department are under the supervision of the city administrator and the park and library directors already work closely with the administration.
Palmer also unsuccessfully lobbied the Charter Commission to change the way members of the Park and Library Boards are appointed. They are currently nominated by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Palmer had proposed having members of the city council each appoint a member of each board to represent their ward, but the Charter Commission earlier voted down the idea.
The proposed amendments concerning the directors of the two departments will require a unanimous vote by the city council to be approved. If the amendments fail, the Charter Commission would have the option of putting the proposals before city voters through a referendum.
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