---

The charter study commission [CSC] met last night to appoint a secretary, further discuss bylaws, and talk to city manager Terence Reidy about the city’s administrative code.

The CSC is an elected board tasked with studying the city’s charter, or form of government, over a nine-month period, from December to August. They can suggest changes to the form of government or the election process, which will be put to a public vote.

LEGAL OPINION ON BYLAWS

The CSC disagreed at their Dec. 19 meeting over the issue of whether members of the commission should be allowed to make public statements.

Chairperson Pam Lamberton used bylaws from the South Brunswick CSC as a guide for creating the Asbury Park bylaws. The South Brunswick commission had a bylaw stating that members of the commission could not make public statements. The commission was divided on this issue, with Randy Thompson and Duanne Small on the side of allowing commissioners to give statements.

Lamberton wrote a letter to city attorney Fred Raffetto asking him whether any law referred to the issue of commissioners giving public statements or disseminating information. Raffetto responded that he knows of no oath that can prevent a commissioner from issuing his or her own public statements.

“I don’t see how commission-adopted bylaws can be used to discipline any self-serving or arrogant commissioner,” his letter read. “I do not know of any state law that requires a muzzling of commissioners, thereby preventing them from making public statements.”

The CSC decided to place a measure in the bylaws requiring commissioners to make it clear that any public statement they make reflects their own opinion, not the opinion of the entire commission.

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

City manager Terence Reidy arrived at the meeting at 8 p.m. to talk about the city’s administrative code.

The administrative code is a set of ordinances passed by the city council and intended to outline certain aspects of government in the city, including hiring processes. Asbury Park’s administrative code has not been approved as it is, and some of the ordinances are out of date. Reidy expects an updated administrative code to be assembled this week, he said.

Reidy told commissioners about the city’s form of government, the manager-council form. In Asbury Park, the council is elected by the public. The council members select a mayor from among those elected. Traditionally, the mayor has been the highest vote-getter, but this is not a requirement.

The city manager is hired by the council. This city manager form of government was created in 1923 to combat cronyism, Reidy said.

“Over the history of our state, elected officials have hired their friends and people who contributed to campaigns,” he said. “This form of government was an antidote to that. You have a professional manager who doesn’t run for office … That city manager should come to the table with a professional background and experience, with no political ties. That person is here to do a particular job and to respond to policy direction of the elected officials.”

The administrative code outlines who has appointing and approval power over certain public employees. Some inconsistencies existed, which need to be rectified. In most cases, the city manager appoints an employee and the governing body approves him or her. There are no cases where the city manager has approval power over a council appointment, Reidy said.

Reidy will likely attend another CSC meeting within the next few weeks to answer questions about the updated administrative code.

CHARTER STUDY SECRETARY

The CSC selected Ginny Otley as secretary after interviewing her and discussing her candidacy in closed executive session.

Otley has worked as an office manager and currently works with the ARC of Monmouth, a nonprofit advocacy group for those with intellectual disabilities. She mostly writes press releases, attends meetings and trains people. She has served as secretary, treasurer and vice president of other nonprofits.

The CSC has budgeted $5,000 for secretarial costs, figuring that a secretary will have to dedicate four hours per week to the CSC. They advertised for applicants in several publications.

MEETING SCHEDULE AND WEBSITE

The CSC will meet on Monday, Jan. 14, in the West Side Community Center, and on Tuesday, Jan. 22, and Monday, Jan. 28, in the Springwood Center. The Jan. 22 meeting was moved from Monday, Jan. 21, because of Martin Luther King Day. All meetings are from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Shore Institute of Contemporary Arts [SICA] will assist the CSC with creating a website. City resident Jessie Ricks asked if the CSC could provide agendas to audience members at meetings. Agendas will be placed on the website when it is complete, commissioners said.

---