05/29/07 Committee Meeting Minutes

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Council Rules Gammittee May 28, 2007 Page 2 Council Member White stated that she believes that it is very important to have citizen members on the Council's Standing Committees. She added that she would be interested in bringing ail citizen appointment together and developing educational forums so that there are discussions on their specific roles and responsibilities. Council President Rouse noted that the Council relies heavily on the Office of the City Clerk with regard to making sure that all citizen members are properly sworn in and have the necessary documents on record. He suggested that perhaps the Clerk's Office should provide copies of the Conflict of Interest statute along with the form at the time of their swearing in to each citizen member. Council Member Dieter noted that both he and Council Member Kirsits file the necessary conflict of interest forms each year in light of their positions on the police and fire departments. Miscellaneous Business: Under miscellaneous business, Council President Rouse noted that in light of the new state law amending the Open Door and Access to Public Records which takes effect on July 1, 2007, that he would be formally withdrawing the pending bill addressing proxy voting procedures. Council Member Ann Puzzello circulated a letter from Daniel F. Osberger dated May 21, 2007 (copy attached) and voiced concern. He is a Council appointment to the Century Center Board of Managers whose appointment expires on February '1, 2009. The Council Attorney quoted the following language from South Bend Municipal Code Sec. 2-1.3, paragraph (h): "All citizen appointment shall agree as a qualification for appointment that he or she shall verbally report to the appropriate Council Committee and/or to the Common Council under Special Business at least once per calendar year with an overview of the items handled through the committee, commission, or other agency on which he or she participates...." Council President Rouse and Member Puzzello requested the Council Attorney to write to Mr. Osberger and inform him of these responsibilities under the South Bend Municipal Code.