CHM 04/15/1975 •
CHARTER COMMISSION
n
April 15 , 1975
MEMBERS PRESENT : Ole Bjerkesett , Clifford Ash, Robert O 'Neill ,
Elaine Knoff , Jackie Johnson, Herbert Bacon
Roy McPherson , Harry Crowder
MEMBERS ABSENT : Ray Sheridan , Edythe Collins , Jack Kirkham,
Peg McChesney , Jerry Ratcliff , Donald Wegler
OTHERS PRESENT: Phyliss Whitmoore
Mr. Bjerkesett opened the meeting at 8 : 00 P.M.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
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The minutes of March 18 , 1975 , were approved as written.
REPORT OF OFFICERS
Mr. Bjerkesett inquired as to the Commission ' s feelings
in connection with the letter appearing in the Fridley Sun
from the President of the League of Women Voters , Jean Schell .
They agreed that Ms . Schell did everything that she possibly
could to correct the error. Mr. Bjerkesett suggested that
he talk to Mr. Sheridan and ask him to thank Ms . Schell on behalf
of the Charter Commission.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
Mr. Bjerkesett asked if there were any significant reports from
the committees. There was no response.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Bjerkesett suggested the submission of the Charter revisions
to the Council. The Commission agreed.
NEW BUSINESS
Elaine Knoff suggested that the Charter Commission invite other
people to come to the next meeting to see how they feel about
the spring election. Mr. Bjerkesett felt that this was in order.
He also said that the problem was that special elections are
being called at ridiculous times. He brought up the fact that
the Charter Commission has not taken an official opinion as to
what they want other than what has already been presented to
the Council .
Mr. Ash suggested that the Commission invite the five cir-
culators of the petition and other interested parties to a
hearing, draft it , and have a position the following month.
He also suggested that they send the letter to all organizations
again. Mr. Ash suggested that this be an input meeting in which
each organization would be prepared to answer questions put
to them by the Charter Commission. Ms . Knoff suggested that
there be a time limitation on it also.
MOTION BY CLIFFORD ASH THAT THE COMMISSION REQUEST THE CITY
TO SEND OUT INVITATIONS TO THE APPROPRIATE CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
AND THE FIVE CIRCULATORS OF THE PETITION ; MR. KENNETH C. SPORRE ,
MR. ROBERT HUGHES , MR. KEITH W. BLOOM, AND MR. KENNETH R. BRENNAN
INVITING THEM TO A HEARING ON SECTION #205 - SPECIAL ELECTIONS ,
TO BE HELD AT THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING (MAY 20) AND TO INCLUDE
IN IT THAT THERE WILL BE A TIME LIMIT TO THE GROUP PRESENTATIONS .
Seconded by Elaine Knoff. Upon a voice vote , the motion carried
unanimously.
Further discussion on the Commission ' s standing in regard to
petitions was held. Mr. Bjerkesett suggested that the Commission
ask Mr. Sheridan to prepare a statement calling attention to the
small number of voters that have turned out. It should state
that the Charter Commission is opposed to special elections
except in rare instances . He suggested that they send a copy
to the civic organizations along with the invitation to appear
at the next meeting. Mr. Bjerkesett suggested that they present
it in a way that the people will know what they are signing. He
also said that this was what the Commission was attempting to
accomplish in the changes that they did elect .
Mr. McPherson said that he was against the Charter Commission
taking an official stand against petitions in general . He
doesn 't want the Commission to go on record saying that they
are against petitioning. Mr . Bjerkesett said that that was
not what he was proposing.
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Mr. Ash suggested that the Charter Commission wait to send
their findings to the City Council. It may be useful in the
future. Mr. Bjerkesett replied that something had to be done
to warn the people that this type of thing costs money , and
that they should be more careful with what they sign.
A short discussion on the power of a chairman followed.
MOTION BY HERBERT BACON TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8 : 35 P.M.
Seconded by Jackie Johnson. Upon a voice vote , the motion
carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
--r(94,2ate/._/
Holly T sager,
Recording Secretary