CHM 02/28/2000 - 00027214CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
February 28, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Holm called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Findell, Fitzpatrick, Gordon, Holm, Querimit, Soule, Van Dan, Warren
Members Absent: Dunlap, LaFave, Monden, Nielsen, Olsen, Stouffer
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 29, 1999, CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Gordon, second by Commissioner Fitzpatrick to approve the November 29,
1999, Charter Commission Minutes as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Gordon, second by Commissioner Soule to approve the agenda as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.
Chairperson Holm discussed the attendance record for 1999 and said that Commissioners Dunlap had
attended no meetings and Stouffer had attended only one meeting. He will contact Mr. Dunlap to see if
he is still interested in serving on the Commission or is willing to submit his resignation.
Skogen noted that she had heard Mr. Stouffer had moved and was no longer a resident of the City and that
Mr. LaFave had recently changed jobs and was commuting to Washington, D.C., and was thinking of
resigning his position.
Chairperson Holm said the Charter By -laws allow for a vote on the discharge from the Commission and a
written request to the court asking for the discharge of a member(s) for failing to perform the duties of
the office.
Adopted March 27, 2000
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 28, 2000 PAGE 2
Commissioner Van Dan did not think that a work problem should exclude someone from being on the
Commission. He was concerned that if there were several more applicants than positions that the
Commission would recommend an applicant who has the commitment to the Commission.
Chairperson Holm said that was very important, especially since a quorum is necessary to conduct the
meeting.
Chairperson Holm requested the Commissioners to fill out the Public Disclosure Statements that were
provided and return them to Ms. Skogen.
Commissioner Van Dan wondered whether or not they needed to complete the Public Disclosure Statement
as they were not appointed by the Council, but rather appointed by the court. He said he would
voluntarily complete the form but wanted to discuss the issue more at an upcoming meeting.
Commissioner Soule suggested that they might want to consider adding the requirement to fill out the
Public Disclosure Statement in the By -laws so that everything is open and honest.
Chairperson Holm said that the Nominating Committee, which consisted of Commissioner Fitzpatrick and
himself, had met to discuss officers for the annual meeting. The Nominating Committee submitted the
names of Suzanne Alvite' Warren, Craig Gordon and Deborah Monden for the offices of Chairperson,
Vice - Chairperson and Secretary for the next year. He said the Chair would also open the nominations
for other prospective officers during the annual election.
2. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 2.06.01: VACANCIES IN THE
COUNCIL
Chairperson Holm said that the amendment to Chapter 2 had been prepared in ordinance format and was
ready to go to the Council for their response. He said legal counsel had reviewed it and modifications
had been made.
Commissioner Gordon said he thought both of the Chapters were to be presented to the Council at the same
time.
Skogen said if they sent the two Chapters at the same time, the Council might want only once ordinance vs.
two.
Commissioners Warren and Soule both felt they should be treated separately but sent at the same time.
After further discussion the Commissioners agreed they should be sent to the Council at the same time,
but should be sent as separate ordinances.
Chairperson Holm said that the amendment to Chapter 2 was ready to forward to the Council.
3. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 5, INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM
AND RECALL
Chairperson Holm said he believed Chapter 5 was ready to forward to the Council. He thanked
Commissioner Findell for all of his work in helping to make the Chapter read more consistently.
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 28, 2000
PAGE 3
Skogen recommended that the Commission make one more review of the Chapter before forwarding it to
the Council. She said she made some changes pertaining to when elections might be held, due to recent
changes in the Minnesota Election laws.
The Commissioners agreed to review the Chapter one more time and to have ready for a final draft to
forward to the Council.
4. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
A. Discussion of Public Disclosure Statement
B. Commission Vacancies
C. Election of Officers
D. Final Review of Chapter 5
E. Possible review of Chapter 6 Section 6.05 -6.07 and Chapter 8, Section 8.05 pertaining to contracts to
try to bring the code up to today's standards.
Skogen did notify the Commission that if there is no further business, they are required by state law to meet
at a minimum of once annually.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Gordon seconded by Commissioner Querimit to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HOLM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen
Staff Liaison