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CHM 03/28/1978 • CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING ,'1 March 28, 1978 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Ash called the meeting to order at 7:44 P.M. Chairman Sheridan arrived shortly thereafter. • Roll call was taken. • MEMBERS PRESENT: Raymond Sheridan, Clifford Ash, Elaine Knoff. Jackie Johnson, Kenneth Brennan, Charles Langer, David Berg, Tim Breider, Walt Starwalt, and Arne Takkunen MEMBERS ABSENT: Jerry Ratcliff, Robert O'Neill, John Swanson and Jean Schell. OTHERS PRESENT: None APPROVAL OF CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Knoff, seconded by Mr. Starwalt, to approve Charter Commission minutes of November 15, 1977 as submitted. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Receive copies of change in Minneapolis Charter: Re: Filling Vacancies Receipt of above was acknowledged by the Commission. Mr. Sheridan stated that Ray McPherson had resigned from the Commission and a replacement would be necessary. He also mentioned that Mr. O'Neill had informed him of his resignation, by telephone, and a letter was forthcoming. Therefore, two replacements for the Commission would be necessary. Mr. Sheridan had received a phone call that evening from Jean Schell indicating she would be unable to attend the next two meetings due to a school commitment. Mr. Ash stated Bob Pierce might be interested in one position. Mr. Sheridan stated Ms. Schell gave him the names of two others who might be interested. They are Agnes Wolf and Barb Phelps. Mr. Ash then stated he also knew of a Mark Hart who might be • interested. Mr. Sheridan suggested these people be contacted and asked to submit a resume to them. The resumes would then be submitted to the Court for consideration. Page 2 'Charter Commission Meeting March 28, 1978 Mr. Sheridan stated the Court should be informed that the Commission would like the appointments to be made within a 30 day period, if possible. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Sheridan asked for a summary of the last meeting of the Commission. Mr. Ash stated two groups were formed to review the Charter. The group Mr. Ash was part of did not meet but the other group did have a meeting. Mr. Starwalt stated Ms. Schell had reviewed Chapters 1-3. One item discussed was 2.05 on page 7 - Vacancy to Council. They discussed the need for changes. No firm conclusions were reached. The group was willing to listen to any comments. Mr. Starwalt then referred to page 35 of the Charter - Certificate of Ratification. The group felt there should be some add-ons to this section. They wondered if there was a legal requirement leaving it like this. They felt there should be something like a continuing add-on - certificate of amendment - a brief, concise,but legal, printed statement on each subsequent printing stating it had been amended. For example, it would be by election, special or other- wise. A simple certificate of amendment telling how it was amended and signed by the Mayor. It would be a brief statement. Mr. Sheridan asked if we should run this by the attorney asking whether a certificate has to come from the Mayor. Mr. Sheridan agreed this should be added to any reprinting from now on. It can be referred to as a certificate of dates of amendment. Mr. Langer stated that going back to Section 2.05 it is an area that needs impr.(}ovement. ue� 1IA'(y Mr. AO suggested a list of questions that we could present to the DFL;` tC. then proceed t0 have a ^,ot;pif'.. of hearings. Mr. Ash LC:YiEwi .l: the minutes of February, 1977 and with the exception of question 1 in Chapter 2, the other items are still pertinent. They are: Question (2) : Nothing is said about number of terms that a person can serve on Council. Should it be limited to two or four terms. Question (3) : Council size. Should there be more members? Fridley has grown, is now in 30,000 category. Question (4) : Should be a list of standing committees and it should be published, with name of chairman, plus schedule, meeting dates, etc. at least once a year. • Page 3 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING March 28, 1978 Question (5) : Boards. Newly created boards should have a termination date or rejustification for further existence. Question (6) : Can a person hold more than one elective office? Some other questions might be: Do we want to have armeetinQ abni, havi/an ethics section in the Charter? Add somewhere - if Councilmen would be able to appoint. 1' 1'Mr. Ash would like to see the Mayor have a State of the City address t.. 4 once a year like the President. It could then be printed in the C;i) newsletter. Mr. Ash also stated he would like to see a fair campaign practice 5e J i" whereby printed materials handed out by a candidate would have to be filed with the City Clerk at least 11 days prior to an election so the opposition would have an opportunity to respond to it. Mr. Langer stated those activities aren't always in printing. Mr. Ash stated that could be no control of TV, etc.. but would control door to door activities. Mr. Ash feels maybe there should be an ordinance - it is worth discussing. Mr. Ash stated this would be just for the Council and Mayor. Mr. Langer stated his group compared our Charter with two other Charters in this area and they found we've got a good Charter. Its phraseology was better than some of the others, in their opinion. Mr. Sheridan asked for any other comments. Mr. Starwalt stated he did not have any serious quarrel with any of the above. He would lean toward a lean Charter. If there is something else that is needed this would handle it. We should „ et. attempt to expand the Charter per se. Mr. Ash stated he had no disagreement with this. Periodically we have to review some items. The city is growing. Another question to consider is should there be more council members. Ms. Johnson asked what the growth rate of the city was. Mr. Starwalt stated it is growing to 33,000. He also stated the • growth was not as rapid as it used to be. Page 4 Charter Commission Meeting March 28, 1978 Mr. Sheridan stated we will have some growth but probably just industrial not residential as all large residential tracts are gone. Mr. Sheridan agreed we needed to discuss these matters. There could be many items to recommend to the Council. He asked what the Committee would recommend now. Mr. Ash stated we need to get all the matters in the minutes, look at them next month, have some hearings and proceed to draft revisions. Mr. Sheridan stated that Section 2.05 was 'somewhat urgent. Mr. Berg asked how many of these items were Charter questions. He also stated that an ethics statement does belong in the Charter. Mr. Sheridan stated that on behalf of the Commission he will contact Tom Forsberg about the two vacancies on the Commission and hopefully we will get a list of people for the vacancies to him. Hopefully we can give him a list of 5 or 6 names. Mr. Sheridan asked if there was any other old business. Mr. Sheridan stated he will write a letter to Mr. McPherson acknowledging his resignation. MOTION by Mr. Ash, seconded by Mr. Langer, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Gayle ' oben Recording Secretary Attachment I 10301 So. Cedar Lake Rd. Apt. 208 Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 December 22, 1977 , . Raymond Sheridan 1301 Hillwind Road Fridley, Minnesota 55432 RAYMOND SHERIDAN CHAIRPERSON FRIDLEY CHARTER COMMISSION SUBJECT: CHARTER COMMISSION APPOINTMENT With this transmittal I am announcing my resignation, effective this date, from the Fridley Charter Commission. My term expires January 24, 1979. My residence is no longer within the Fridley City limits. Very truly yours, ,. Roy J. McPherson RJM/l rs