CHM 10/18/1976 CHARTER COMMISSION
MEETING
OCTOBER 18, 1976
MEMBERS PRESENT: Raymond Sheridan, Charles Langer, Clifford Ash, Jackie Johnson,
Kenneth Brennan, Herbert Bacon
MEMBERS ABSENT: Elaine Knoff, Harry Crowder, Robert O'Neill, Roy McPherson,
Ole Bjerkesett, Peg McChesney, Jerry Ratcliff, John Swanson
As there were not enough members present for a quorum, Chairperson Sheridan
opened the meeting for general discussion at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Sheridan stated that the approval of the Special Charter Commission meeting
- minutes of August 4, 1976, and the Charter Commission meeting minutes of
September 20, 1976, would have to ..e held over until the next meeting.
Mr. Sheridan stated that he had asked Mr. Bjerkesett, Mr . Bacon, and Mr. Brennan
to serve as a committee to come in with a recommendation for a new attorney.
Mr. Bacon stated that he had called Mr. Langer to see if Mr. Langer had any
recommendations for a new attorney. Mr. Langer recommended Mr. John W. Terpstra,
4230 Central Ave. N.E. , phone no. 788-9481 . Mr. Bacon stated he had talked to
several other people who knew Mr. Terpstra and they all recommended him highly.
Mr. Bacon stated he was not able to get ahold of Mr. Bjerkesett again, but; since
Mr. Langer recommended him, the committee recommends Mr. Terpstra as the attorney
to represent the Charter Commission. Mr . Bacon also stated he has talked to
Mr. Terpstra and he is interested in the job.
Mr. Langer gave a brief statement about Mr. Terpstra. He stated he has known
Mr. Terpstra since 1958 when they were in law school together. In 1965 they
became partners and were partners for seven years. He has watched Mr . Terpstra
grow over the years . He stated what he likes about Mr. Terpstra is that he
handles such matters as municipal problems, election problems, contesting elections,
etc . Mr. Terpstra has had several dealings with Mr. Herrick. Mr. Langer stated
Mr. Terpstra is'not impulsive; he thinks things through. His manner is judicious;
he has stick-tdA.tiveness . He can come up with a thorough opinion.
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CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING, OCTOBER 18, 1976 Page 2
Mr. Sheridan stated he was pleased with the selection of Mr. Terpstra for two
reasons: (1) he is tuned to municipal law; and (2) he has not been associated
with politics in the community. Mr. Sheridan thought Mr. Terpstra would be a
good addition to the Charter Commission. Mr. Sheridan stated he would personally
meet and invite Mr. Terpstra to the Commission's next meeting, November 16, 1976,
where one of the items on the agenda will be the appointment of a new attorney
for the Charter Commission.
Mr. Crowder was not present at the meeting, but the nominations for the offices
to be filled at the annual meeting, November 16, 1976, are:
President - Raymond Sheridan
Vice-President - Clifford Ash
Secretary - Peg McChesney
Mr. Sheridan stated that he believes it is required that 20 days prior to the
annual meeting, written notice must be given to all the Commission members of
the report of the Nominating Committee and spelling out the date of the annual
meeting.
Mr. Sheridan stated that in the Fridley Home Rule Charter Commission By-Laws,
it requires 8 members for a quorum. He stated that the Commission might want
to consider making the quorum less than 8 members to take care of meetings such
as this one. He asked the members to think about it and any other changes they
may wish to make in the By-Laws .
The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Al ' /ii
U alt .
Lyre Saba
Recording Secretary
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