CHM 05/24/2004 - 00027122CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
May 24, 2004
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Findell called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Peter Borman, Don Findell, Dan Garcia, Anita Gerrety, Harry Heck, Bill Holm,
Janet Johnson, Nancy Jorgenson, Kathleen Linder, Cindy Soule and Francis Van
Dan
Members Absent: Char Fitzpatrick, Craig Gordon, and Deborah Monden
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Commission Jorgenson requested an item be placed on the agenda to allow the Charter Commission to
consider adoption of an amendment to the Charter. It was determined it would be placed under Item 2.d.
MOTION by Commissioner JORGENSON, seconded by Commissioner HECK, to approve the agenda as
amended.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS
AMENDED.
APPROVAL OF MARCH 22. 2004. CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES:
Commissioner Jorgenson requested the minutes be amended on page 4, second paragraph to read, "... did
not adopt the ordinance, or if a valid petition is received."
Commissioner Van Dan pointed out several places she felt the language as written should be restructured,
however, she made no suggestions for change.
MOTION by Commissioner VAN DAN, seconded by Commissioner BORMAN, to approve the March 22,
2004, Charter Commission Minutes, as amended by Commissioner Jorgenson.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.AND THE MEETING MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS
AMENDED.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Adopted 09 -27 -04
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 24, 2004
A. Election of Officers
PAGE 2
Chairperson Findell reported that the nominations committee recommended the nominations of Don
Findell for Chair, Nancy Jorgenson for Vice -Chair and Anita Gerrety for Secretary. He then declared
the nominations open and asked for further nominations.
Commissioner Holm MOVED and Commissioner Soule seconded the nominations be closed.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE NOMINATIONS WERE CLOSED.
Commissioner Van Dan MOVED and Commissioner Heck seconded a motion to elect Commissioner
Findell, Jorgenson and Gerrety by unanimous vote.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND COMMISSIONERS FINDELL, JORGENSON AND
GERRETY WERE ELECTED AS NOMINATED.
B. Application of Gary Braam for Charter Commission.
Chairperson Findell noted that Gary Braam, owner of Sandee's Restaurant, had applied for the
vacancy remaining on the Charter Commission and that his application was in their packets for further
information.
Commissioner Borman MOVED and Commissioner Heck seconded a motion recommending the
appointment of Gary Braam to the Charter Commission and directing staff to forward his name to the
District Judge.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
C. Attendance at City Council Meeting Regarding First Reading of an amendment.
Chairperson Findell said that he would like to see the Charter Commission attend the City Council
meeting regarding the amendment that was forwarded pertaining to Chapter 7 of the Charter.
D. Discussion of Charter Amendment
Ms. Skogen noted that she had contacted the League of Minnesota Cities to see how the Charter
Commission could recommend an amendment of the Charter. She said the same process used to adopt
a charter would be used. She drafted some language that would allow the Charter Commission to
recommend an amendment which would go to the voters in November if the City Council did not adopt
the amendment by ordinance, or if a Petition Committee were to be submitted calling for a referendum
of the ordinance.
For discussion purposes, Commissioner Jorgenson MOVED and Commissioner Heck seconded a
motion encouraging the City Council to vote on the amendment by ordinance before them, or if adopted
and a valid petition is submitted to rescind the ordinance, to place it on the ballot.
Adopted 09 -27 -04
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 24, 2004
PAGE 3
Chairperson Findell said the Commission had the language provided by Ms. Skogen lying aside if the
City Council did not adopt the amendment by ordinance; if the City Council adopts the ordinance and a
referendum petition is received and the City Council rescinded the ordinance allowing the language set
aside by the Commission to be placed on the November ballot.
The meeting was recessed at 7:30 p.m. to allow the Commissioners to attend the City Council meeting.
The meeting was reconvened at p.m.
Motion by Commissioner Jorgenson, second by Commissioner Heck to amend the above motion
directing the Chair to present the resolution approved by the majority of the Fridley Charter
Commission members on May 24, 2004, to the City Clerk before August 5, 2004, in the event the City
Council does not approve or rescinds the amendment by ordinance pertaining to Chapter 7.02.3 as
recommended by the Fridley Charter Commission.
Upon a roll call vote, Commissioners Holm, Borman, Johnson, Jorgenson, Linder, Soule and Findell
voted aye; Commissioners Van Dan, Gerrety and Heck voted nay. The motion passed by a majority
vote.
Staff was directed to provide three originals for signature by the Commissioners so that the resolution
is available should it be needed.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner HOLM, seconded by Commissioner Heck to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
" -/Jf-z- )
Debra A. Skogen
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Anita Gerrety, Secretary
Adopted 09 -27 -04