ADMINISTRATION - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
SECOND READING
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ADMINISTRATION OF CITY AFFAIRS, SECTION 6.05, PURCHASES AND CONTRACTS, OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BLAINE
Background
At the annual Charter Commission meeting, the Commission unanimously voted to approve increasing the expenditure limit for purchases and contracts by the City Manager from the current $20,000 to $50,000 and directed staff to bring the item forward for public hearing and Council consideration as outlined in Statute. The public hearing and first reading was held on June 3 with direction for a worksession prior to second reading.
Charter Commissioner Goracke attended the June 10 worksession to help respond to Council’s questions regarding emergency purchases and the possible lack of budget oversight should the limit increase. He explained the Commission felt the purchases were already approved by Council through the annual budget process and should be approved by the City Manager without additional Council approval. He shared how the Commission thought the process would expedite execution of contracts and purchases while still providing Council with oversight of the adopted City budget through review of schedule of bills paid. The Council requested that should the amendment be adopted a list be included in the Council packet of items purchased that range between $20,000 and $50,000 so they are easily identifiable by members of the public and would like to be notified in the event of a significant emergency purchase.
Recommendation
Hold second reading and adopt the proposed ordinance. The vote must be unanimous and would become effective 90 days after passage and publication.
Body
THE CITY OF BLAINE DOES ORDAIN: (Added portions are underscored and deleted portions are shown in brackets with overstrike.)
Chapter 6, Administration of City Affairs, Sec. 6.05, Purchases and Contracts, of the Charter of the City of Blaine is amended to read, as follows: (added portions are underscored and deleted portions are shown in brackets with overstrike).
Sec. 6.05. Purchases and contracts.
The city manager shall be the chief purchasing agent of the city. Contracts for the sale or the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment or the rental thereof, or the construction, alteration, repair or maintenance of real or personal property shall be made in accordance with the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law, Minn. Stat. § 471.345, as amended. If the amount of the contract is estimated to be [twenty thousand dollars ($20,000)] fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, the contract may be made by the city manager. All other purchases and all other contracts shall be submitted to the council for approval. All contracts, bonds and instruments of any kind to which the city is a party shall be signed by the mayor and the city manager on behalf of the city and shall be executed in the name of the city.
INTRODUCED AND READ in full the 3rd day of June, 2019.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 17th day of June, 2019.