CHM 04/16/1974 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
April 16, 1974
MEMBERS PRESENT: Edythe Collins, Ray Sheridan, Ole Bjerkesett,
Harry Crowder, Jackie Johnson, Roy McPherson, Elaine
Knoff, and Jerry Ratcliffe
MEMBERS ABSENT: Peg McChesney, Robert O'Neill, Donald Wegler, Francis
Casey, Herbert Bacon, Jack Kirkham, and Clifford Ash
Mr. Sheridan opened the meeting for discussion from the League of Women
Voters at 8:00 p.m. Phyllis Whitmore and Jean Schell were present at
the meeting representing the League of Women Voters with their concerns
in amending the City Charter.
Section 2.05 Vacancies in the Council
Mrs. Whitmore reported on the League's viewpoint on vacancies in the
Council. The League members felt that an elected official is preferable
to, an appointed one. They doubted that a change in this section would
make a significant change as far as the City government is concerned.
They felt that a member of the City Council should not be required to
resign when he files for public office other than Council; however,
they supported the strengthening of this section to provide for the
filling of any vacancy within 30 days or an election shall be called,
unless a regular scheduled election is scheduled within 90 days.
Section 2.07 The Mayor
The League had discussed Mr. .Breider's suggestion to delete the words,
"He shall study the operations of the City government and shall report
• to the Council any neglect, dereliction of duty, or waste on the part
of any officer or department of the City." The League recommended that
these words not be deleted.
Section -5.02 Expenditures by petitioners
Mrs. Whitmore said that the League of Municipalities Model Charter for 1974
has no section on expenditures. They seem to feel that there is no need
to limit expenses to petitioners. Deleting this section would put the
Charter in harmony with the idea that a Charter should be as fundamental
as possible. Some of the other suggestions were for raising the limit
rather. than eleminating this section. The League concurred with this idea
and urged the Commission to raise the amount high enough. They supported
raising the $50 limit on petitioners; knot to exceed $200.
Section 5.10 The Referendum
Mrs. Whitmore said that people circulating-referendum petitions have been
confronted with the fact that the Fridley City Charter does not seem to
give petitioners any recourse to correct any insufficiencies' or to
obtain additional names if necessary. In the new 1974 Model Charter
f ' the opportunity is given to petitioners, referring to both initiative
petitioners and referendum petitioners.'
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r‘. Applying to the referendum, Mrs. Whitmore referred to Sections 5.04 & 5.05.
She said. perhaps the simplest way to correct this oversight is to include
Section 5.06 also as applied to the referendum with the deletion of the
last line. They supported the strengthening of this referendum section.
Section 6.02b Powers and Duties of the City Manger_
The League felt that the words "with the consent and approval of the
Council" should not be deleted. They felt that the Manager would probably
continue to consult with the Council on any appointments. They questioned
whether deletion of this. line would bring about any significant change. •
. Section 6.04 Subordinate Officers of the City
The League had recently studied this section at their meeting and also a
year before, studying the question of appointing a City Attorney by the
Manager or the Council. Their conclusion was that_the position of the
City Attorney should not be a political one. They supported the appointment
of the City Attorney by the City Manager with the approval of the Council. . 7
Further discussions were held between members of the Commission and the
League concerning the League's comments on the Charter. Section 5.10 was
referred to by Ole Bjerkesett. He asked if they had any recommendations
in the procedure itself, concerning the referendum. Mrs. Whitmore stated
that some petition signers are not professionals. They sometimes give a
legal signature without realizing it. Mr. Bjerkesett said he was looking
for some suggestion to correct this. He questioned whether this could be
i t done by Ordinance. They discussed the appointment of the City Attorney.
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Mr. Sheridan thanked the League of Women Voters for their cooperation and
work involved with reviewing the Charter. Mrs. Whitmore thanked the
Chairman and members of the Charter Commission for inviting the League to
attend the meeting.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
• Mr. Sheridan opened the meeting for official business at 8:40 p.m.
Mr• Sheridan asked if the City Administration could obtain the 1974 Model
Charter.•from the League of Mitfnesotaa—Municipal#ties for ill- mbars of
the Charter Commission.
MOTION MADE BY OLE BJERKESETT THAT THE MARCH 19 MINUTES BE ACCEPTED AS
CORRECTED. Seconded by Jackie Johnson. The following statements will be
added to the minutes:
"Mr. Utter said that the present size of the Council need not be changed."
"Mr. Nee favored consideration of a seven man Council." -
"Mr. Braider supported the appointment of the City_Attorney by the City Manager
with veto power retained by the Council."
Mr. Sheridan said the Charter Commission would like to be informed by the
Administration when the public hearing on the primary elections will take place
so they will have representatives at the hearing.
Jackie Johnson asked if there was a specific date in which all the recommendations
hut to be made? She asked Mr. Sheridan how much initial time they have left.
Mr. Sheridan indicated that it should rightfully be in the hands of the
Council by August or September. It would go to :the next general election
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in the fall. Mr. Bjerkesett asked how far in advance they had to have
it ready for the ballot? Mr. Sheridan said if everything was completed
in June, they could call it in August.
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MOTION WAS MADE BY OLE BJERKESETT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. Seconded by,
Roy McPherson, and the meeting was adjourned at 9':05 p.m. The next
meeting is on Tuesday, May 21. The City Manager and Administration
are scheduled to be present.
Respectfully submitted,
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. Shells Morrisott •
Recording g Secretary
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