CHM 11/20/1973 CHARTER COMMISSION
November 20, 1973
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert O'Neill, Ole Bjerkesett, Herbert Bacon,
Edythe Collins, Elaine Knoff, Jackie Johnson, Roy McPherson,
and Harry Crowder
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ray Sheridan, Peg McChesney, Donald Wegler,
Francis Casey, Jack Kirkham, Clifford Ash, and
Jerry Ratcliffe
Ole Bjerkesett acted as chairman of the meeting, The meeting opened
at 7:45 p.m. on November 20, 1973.
Mrs. Knoff made a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting held on
October 16, 1973. Mrs. Johnson seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote,
all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously.
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DISCUSSION REGARDING LEGAL DPEARTMENT
Mr. Bjerkesett said as a report from the officers, Mr. Sheridan had not
been able to get in touch Virgil Herrick, since he was out of town and
would not be back until after Thanksgiving. So there was nothing to
report at this time.
Mr. Bjerkesett handed out copies of the- legal expenditures for 1970, 1971,
and 1972, which the Commission had requested at the last meeting. They
looked over the expenditures and Mr. Bjerkesett asked the Commission if
they had any further comments. The Commission thought the City did a
very good job in obtaining the information. Mr. Bjerkesett asked the
members if they wanted to do anything with this, other than study it.
Mr. Crowder said you would have to go back quite a few years in order to
get a different comparison, .not many changes have taken place on dollars
alone.
Mrs. Collins suggested calling Brooklyn Center to see how they went about
setting up their own legal department. Mrs. Johnson mentioned checking
with Richfield. Mr. McPherson asked if the Council or City Administration
was going to approach the Charter Commission and discuss any of the changes.
Mr. Bjerkesett .said it was his understanding that Mr. Sheridan felt the
Charter Commission would have a chance to discuss this with the Council.
Mr. Sheridan will probably set something up at the January meeting.
DISCUSSION REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF CITY MANAGER
Mrs. Johnson referred to Chapter 6, Administration of City Affairs. The
Commission discussed Section 6.04, SubordLriate Officers, on top of page 18.
The Committee which had this section would look into this. Mr. Crowder
said in checking through the Charter, it could take a long time for the
City Council to appoint a City Manager. There is nothing in the Charter
that states that they have to act, except appoint an Acting City Manager,
which they have already done.
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The Commission discussed how a City Manager is appointed. Mr. Crowder
said that Fridley was not considered small or big, it is an average sized
City and rapidly growing.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Bjerkesett asked if there was any new business to
discuss. He emphasized that the December meeting would be cancelled
unless a special meeting was called for.
Herbert Bacon made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Robert O'Neill
seconded the motion. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion
carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Since the December meeting has been cancelled, the next meeting will be
held on January 15, 1974. After Mr. Sheridan gets in touch with
Mr. Herrick, expressing some of the comments made by the Charter Commission,
there will be a discussion.
Respectfully submitted, .
Shelley bitbrrisfon
Recording Secretary
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