CHA 01/24/2005 2005Charter Commission Membership 0,4c0"`
Name/Address Phone e-mail address Appointed Term Expires
Borman,Peter (h)763-571-4479 Peter.borman(a,gwest. 12-03-03 11-24-07
kikel 120 River Edge Way coin
55432
Braam,Gary (h)763-571-9582 06-01-04 05-31-08
1436 66th Avenue
55432
l • Findell,Donald (h)763-571-0467 donfmder @aol.com 6-16-97(v) 5-11-01
11A)"'"' 6850 Siverts Lane (w)Fax 763-571- 2-21-01 (1) 5-1-05 0
55432 7386 ��,,)
Char Fitzpatrick (h)572-9615 imchocann@aol.com 5-7-02(v) 2-21-05 llJ,�"'
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n. 5273 Horizon Drive NE
,
!' ' 55421 12-03-03 11-24-07
Gerrety,Anita (h)571-5586 anitaandtome@msn.co 4-22-02(1) 4-22-06
602 Woodside Court (w)952-942-9110 m
55432
Gordon,Craig (h)574-9807 2-8-99(v) 5-11-01
PO Box 32622 (w)571-4959 2-21-01 (1) 5-1-05 . •
55432 •
Heck,Scott"Harry" (h)572-0677 scotandlori(uimsn.com 2-21-01 (1) 2-21-05
72 6032 2 1/2 Street NE (w)
- 55432
Holm,William (h)784-7052 holm(a,goldengate.co 4-26-96(v) 5-24-99
7424 Melody Drive NE (w) m 4-9-99(1) 5-24-03
55432 5-23-03 5-24-07
Johnson,Janet (h)571-8359 jjohnson @mediation.s 4-22-02(1) 4-22-06
' 1579 Briardale Road (w)651-649-5426 tate.mn.us
55432
Jorgenson,Nancy (h)571-1648 njjorgenson48 @msn.c 2-21-01 (1) 2-21-05 7�'
1~ 5730 Polk Street NE (w) om
1- 55432
Kathleen Linder (h)572-9348 02-19-04 02-13-08
14119-1 728 58th Avenue NE
55432
Monden,Deborah (h)783.3575 DWmonden(a,netscape 4-9-99(v) 1-24-03
211 79th Way NE,#2 (w) .net 3-26-03 (1) 3-24-07
55432
Soule,Cynthia (h)572-9666 csoule @elcabop.org 6-16-97(v) 5-11-01
7838 Firwood Way (w)612-752-4101 2-21-01 (1) 5-1-05 • b
55432
Van Dan,Francis (h)571-3177 bimipula@juno.com 5-5-95(v) 5-11-97
6342 Baker Avenue NE (w) 97?(1) 5-11-01
Q 432 2-21-01 (2) 5-1-05
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CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION .
AGENDA
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2005 7:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Fridley Municipal Center
Meeting Room 1 (Lower Level)
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 22,2004
3. Administrative Matters
A. Membership—Application of Pam Reynolds
B. Annual Report
C. Appointment of Nominating Committee
4. Discussion of Mission Statement
5. Discussion of Glossary/Index—Chapters 3 and 4
6. Discussion of an Elections Absentee Ballot Board
7. Discussion of Future Items
Adjournment
Next regular meeting: Monday, February 28, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting
Room 1 in the Lower Level
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 22,2004
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Findell called the Charter Commission meeting to order at7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Peter Borman,Gary Braam,Don Findell,Anita Gerrety,Craig Gordon,Kathleen Linder,
and Francis Van Dan
Members Absent: Char Fitzpatrick,Harry Heck,Bill Holm,Janet Johnson,Nancy Jorgenson,Deborah
Monden and Cindy Soule
Others Present: Deb Skogen,City Clerk/Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Gordon seconded by Commissioner Braam to approve the agenda.
Commissioner Van Dan requested to be placed on the agenda. Chairperson Findell placed Commissioner Van Dan
under Discussion of future items as 6A.
■•• UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS AMENDED.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 27 AND OCTOBER 24,2004 CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Gordon seconded by Commissioner Borman to approve the September 27 and October
24,2004,Charter Commission Minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Ms. Skogen stated that there was one opening due to the resignation of Commssioner Garcia. The
resignation was necessary due to Mr.Garcia moving out of the City of Fridley,which made him
ineligible to serve on the Commission. The opening is posted on the web and on cable.
Also discussed was Commissioner Johnson's inability b attend any meeting until next fall due to her
work commitments. The Commissioners felt as long as it was excused it was okay. Commissioner
Gerrity said that Commissioner Johnson would understand if there was someone that was eager to join
the commission if the Commission were to request she resign due to her lack of ability to attend.
Ms. Skogen stated that Commissioner Monden had not attended any meetings in the past year and had
not called to say she would not be at any of the meetings. ChairpersonFindell will contact
Commissioner Monden to see what her intentions are and get back to Ms. Skogen prior to the January
meeting so inform the rest of the Commission.
Draft
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22,2004 PAGE 2
n B. 2005 Calendar
Ms. Skogen handed out the 2005 City Council Calendar so the Commissionerscould determine their meeting
dates for 2005. The past practice has been to meet on the 4th Monday of the months they meet. Commissioner
Gordon MOVED and Commissioner Borman seconded a motion to hold the 2005 Charter Commission meetings
on the 4th Monday of January,February,March,April,May,September,October and November.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
UNANIMOUS AND THE CALANDER WAS APPROVED.
2. DISCUSSION OF MISSION STATEMENT
Commissioner Van Dan said she did not have anything prepared for this evening,but recommended that everyone
come prepared to discuss this issue at the next meeting.
3. DISCUSSION OF GLOSSARY/INDEX
Commissioner Van Dan addressed the Commission to let them know she did not care aluut what the City Attorney
thought about changes to the glossary or index and that the Commission was not there to support the City Council
but to be an oversight for the Council to defend individual rights. Commissioner Van Dan stated they were a
sovereign,independent Commission all appointed by the Chief Judge of the District Court. Commissioner Van Dan
felt the city council had try to impose a phony sales tax that they did not have authority to do and that after the voters
adopted a new amendment to the Charter,the outgoing mayor worked with a group to water down the amendment.
Chairperson Findell said that the committee was necessary because they had to work to find something that was
acceptable to the bonding authorities and that it was necessary b re-write the amendment.
Commissioner Van Dan felt that some members of the Charter Commission had met outside of the Commission to
prepare an amendment that was what the City Manager had wanted. She said she had been on the Commission for a
long time and felt that the Commission was doing business differently and started talking about a problem with her
neighbor.
Commissioner Findell asked how it was germane to the discussion of the glossary and requested clarification.
Commissioner Van Dan stated the Commission had to be a watch dog and the Charter has to protect the individual
citizen's rights.
Chairperson Findell said that the Charter provides for a representative government to make decisions. He felt about
90%of the citizens approved with representative government and did not want to make the little decisions,like the
cost of utility fees. There was further discussion and Commissioner Van Dan was ruled out of order.
Chairperson Findell asked if there were further comments on the glossary/ind;x and whether anyone had found any
words to define in chapters 1 and 2.
Commissioner Gordon suggested mayor pro tern be defined(Section 2.03. There was a discussion about who would
replace the mayor on a temporary basis or if there was a vacancy. Currently the mayor pro tern would replace the
mayor on a temporary basis and the councilmember at large would replace the mayor if there were a vacancy.
Commissioner Gordon also suggested defming"enumeration"found in Section 1.02.
Chairperson Findell suggested the Commissioners review Chapters 3 and 4 for the January meeting.
Draft
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 22,2004 PAGE 3
4. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
Ms. Skogen suggested discussing the need for an absentee ballot board due to the increase in the number of absentee
ballots. She will prepare information for the Commission for the January meeting.
Commissioner Van Dan said she had no further comments at this time.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Gordon seconded by Commissioner Braam to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:10 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen, Anita Gerrety,Secretary
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Draft
Collins, Roberta
�rom: preynolds2 @mn.rr.com
ant: Friday, November 19, 2004 8:36 PM
fo: Info
Subject: *Commission Application *
[Results Generated using GoldenGate's Form Parser]
Name : Pam Reynolds
Address : 1241 Norton Ave NE
HomePhone : 763-571-8453
TimeResident : 5 years
Employer : Honeywell, Inc.
EmployerAddress : Douglas Drive
WorkPhone : 763-954-8453
mailfrom preynolds2 @mn.rr.com
Travel : no
CharterCommission : Interested
HRACommission : Interested
PlanningCommission : Interested
AppealsCommission : Interested
EnvironmentalCommission : Interested
ParksCommission : Interested
Comments : representation skills
negotiation skills conflict resolution skills
people oriented
/mammon sense
research
Enviroment Variables
Remote Host : cpe-65-30-228-201.mn.rr.com
Remote Address : 65.30.228.201
User Browser : Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; Win 9x 4. 90; .NET CLR
1.1.4322)
Referrer : http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/citygovt/citycommissions.htm
1
CIIYOF
FRIDLEY
FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER•6431 UNIVERSITY AVE.N.E.FRIDLEY,MN 55432•(763)571-3450•FAX(763)571-1287
December 10,2004
Honorable Joseph Quinn,Chief Judge
Tenth Judicial District
Anoka County Courthouse
325 East Main Street
Anoka,MN 55303-2489
Re: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRIDLEY CHARTER COMMISSION FOR 2004
Honorable Judge Joseph Quinn,
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes 410.05, Subdivision 2,I am submitting this report of the activities of
the Fridley Charter Commission during the calendar year 2004.
The Fridley Charter Commission met eight times during 2004. They began the year with 13 members and
had two vacancies filled during the year. In October of this year,Commissioner Daniel Garcia submitted his
resignation as he was no longer a resident of the City of Fridley and we currently have 14 members. The
current members to the Fridley Charter Commission are:
Gary Braam William B.Holm
Peter Borman Janet Johnson
Donald Findell(Chairperson) Nancy Jorgenson
Charlotte Fitzpatrick Kathleen Linder
Craig Gordon Deborah Monden
Anita Gerrety Cynthia J. Soule
Harry Heck Francis Van Dan
The Charter Commission spent a considerable amount of time in 2003 and 2004 discussing and recommending
an amendment by ordinance to Chapter 7 of the Fridley City Charter to remove utility and recycling fees from
fees defined whereby increases could not be raised by the rate of inflation or 5%,whichever is lower. This
amendment to the Charter was made in 2001 as a result of an election due to a referendum petition in 2000.
This amendment was deemed necessary due to cuts to local government aid and to allow the city to charge
residents for the pass through costs from other agencies that may be greater than the rate of inflation or 5%. A
public hearing was held on February 10th to take public comment. In March,the Charter Commission
recommended the amendment by ordinance to Chapter 7 to the City Council. The City Council adopted the
ordinance unanimously and the charter amendment would have become effective;however,a referendum
committee submitted a petition placing the question on the November General Election Ballot. The amendment
by ordinance was not adopted at the election and the ordinance did not become effective.
n
Judge Joseph Quinn
Page 2
December 10,2004
The Charter Commission is now reviewing the charter chapter by chapter to identify terminology they do not
understand to provide definitions to be included in a working glossary or index to the charter. I am enclosing
copies of the minutes of the meetings held in 2004 for your information and records.
Sincerely,
CITY OF FF• D LEY
'' If
Debra A. Skogen/
City Clerk
Enclosures
Cc: Fridley Charter Commissioners
Fridley City Council
William W.Bums,Fridley City Manager
Elizabeth Moore,Fridley Charter Commission Attorney
Working Glossary
Charter An instrument in writing creating and defining the franchises of a city,
education institution or corporation.
Or
A document defining, describing the powers the freeholders grant their
government. Defining and regulating relations between government and
the governed, the rights and powers of the principles.
Charter Commission
Discretionary Funds
Eminent Domain The power to take private property for public use by a state,
municipality, or private person or corporation authorized to exercise
functions of public character, following just compensation to the owner
of that property
Or
The power to take private property for public use by a state,
/"N municipality, or private person or corporation authorized to exercise
functions of public character, following the payment of compensation to
the owner of that property
Enumeration
Informality
Initiative An action by the voters to petition the city council to enact a new
ordinance or to repeal an existing ordinance.
Mayor pro tem
Non-discretionary
Funds
Recall An action by the voters to remove an elected municipal official from
office. Such action begins by petitioning the City Council alleging
malfeasance or nonfeasance in office.
Referendum An action by the voters to petition the city council to stop an ordinance
from becoming effective, thereby allowing the city council to reconsider
and repeal the ordinance or submit it to the voters at the next regular
election.
Sinking Fund or Money set aside in a special account for the purpose of redeeming or
"debt reserve fund" retiring bonds.
Suspense Fund
(3)the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has included a properly completed voter
registration application in the return envelope;and
(4)the voter has not already voted at that election,either in person or by absentee ballot. The return envelope
from accepted ballots must be preserved and returned to the county auditor.
If all or a majority of the election judges examining return envelopes find that an absent voter has failed to
meet one of the requirements prescribed in clauses(1)to(4),they shall mark the return envelope"Rejected,"initial
or sign it below the word"Rejected,"and return it to the county auditor.
Subd.3. Notation on polling place roster.If the return envelope is marked with the word"Accepted,"the
election judges shall record the fact that the voter has voted by absentee ballot on the polling place roster. This must
be done by placing the letters"A.B."in the appropriate space on the roster. After a registration record has been
marked to record that an individual has voted by absentee ballot,the individual shall not be allowed to vote in
person at that election.
Subd.4. Placement in container;opening and counting of ballots.The ballot envelopes from return
envelopes marked"Accepted"shall be placed by the election judges in a separate absentee ballot container. The
container and each ballot envelope may be opened only after the last regular mail delivery by the United States
postal service on election day. The ballots shall then be initialed by the election judges in the same manner as
ballots delivered by them to voters in person and shall be deposited in the appropriate ballot box.
If more than one ballot of any kind is enclosed in the ballot envelope,none of the ballots of that kind shall be
counted but all ballots of that kind shall be returned in the manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled
ballots.
Subd. 5. M.S. 1999 Repealed; 1999 c 132 s 46
Subd.6. Exception for municipalities or school districts with absentee ballot boards.In municipalities or
school districts with an absentee ballot board,the election judges in each precinct shall receive and process return
envelopes and ballot envelopes as provided in this section except that the ballot envelopes from return envelopes
marked"Accepted"shall be delivered in an absentee ballot container to the absentee ballot board for the counting of
ballots as soon as possible after processing. Other law to the contrary notwithstanding,the governing body of a
municipality or the school board of a school district with an absentee ballot precinct may authorize the judges of the
/""\ absentee ballot precinct to validate ballots in the manner provided in this section. The vote totals provided by the
absentee ballot board shall be included in the vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the precinct in
which they were received.
Subd.7. Names of persons submitting absentee ballots.The names of voters who have submitted an
absentee ballot return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk may not be made available for public
inspection until the close of voting on election day.
History: 1981 c 29 art 3 s 12; 1981 c 185 s 2; 1983 c 253 s 5,6; 1984 c 560 s 6-9; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 18; 1989
c 291 art 1 s 5,6; 1990 c 585 s 21,22; 1991 c 320 s 1; 1997 c 147 s 20,21;2004 c 293 art 1 s 23
NOTES AND DECISIONS
203B.12
Absentee ballot may not be challenged after deposit in ballot box except for invalidity on the face of the ballot.Bell v Gannaway,227
N.W.2d 797(Minn. 1975).
Absentee ballot,which was torn and had been repaired by tape,was properly allowed on theory that it was mutilated ballot presumed to
have been torn after it was received and counted by election officers.Sperl v.Wegwerth,265 Minn.47,120 N.W.2d 355(1963).
203B.125 SECRETARY OF STATE TO MAKE RULES.
The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing methods and procedures for issuing ballot cards and
related absentee forms to be used as provided in section 203B.08,subdivision la,and for the reconciliation of voters
and ballot cards before tabulation under section 203B.12.
History: 1983 c 253 s 7
203B.13 ABSENTEE BALLOT BOARDS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment.The governing body of any county that has established a counting center as
provided in section 206.85,subdivision 2,any municipality,or any school district may by ordinance or resolution,
authorize an absentee ballot board. The board shall consist of a sufficient number of election judges appointed as
provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22.
Subd.2. Duties.The absentee ballot board may do any of the following:
(a)Receive from each precinct in the municipality or school district all ballot envelopes marked"Accepted"
by the election judges;provided that the governing body of a municipality or the school board of a school district
r1
may authorize the board to examine all return absentee ballot envelopes and receive or reject absentee ballots in the
manner provided in section 203B.12;
(b)Open and count the absentee ballots,tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the
absentee voter and the total absentee vote cast for each candidate or question in each precinct;or
(c)Report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct.
The absentee ballot board may begin the process of examining the return envelopes and marking them
"accepted"or"rejected"at any time during the 30 days before the election.
If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election,the ballots in the envelope must be
considered spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board shall provide the voter with a
replacement absentee ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. The secretary of state shall provide
samples of the replacement ballot and return envelope for use by the county auditor.
Subd.3. Compensation of members.The municipal clerk shall pay a reasonable compensation to each
member of the absentee ballot board for services rendered during each election.
Subd.3a. Absentee voter list.If the election judges of an absentee ballot board are authorized to receive,
examine,validate,and count absentee ballots,the county auditor or municipal clerk shall prepare a list of all persons
who have applied for absentee ballots at the election and deliver it to the election judges of the absentee ballot board
along with the applications for absentee ballots. The polling place rosters must include an indicator for all persons
on the absentee voter list. The county auditor may provide a supplemental list for use by the election judges after
the polling place rosters have been prepared. If a person on the absentee voter list appears in the polling place,the
election judges shall notify the election judges of the absentee ballot board. When notified by the precinct election
judges that the voter has voted in person,the election judges of the absentee ballot board shall make a notation on
the absentee voter list that the voter has voted and no absentee ballot may be counted for that voter.
Subd.4. Applicable laws.Except as otherwise provided by this section,all of the laws applicable to absentee
ballots and absentee voters and all other provisions of the Minnesota election law shall apply to an absentee ballot
board.
History: 1981 c 29 art 3 s 13; 1981 c 185 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 19; 1989 c 291 art 1 s 7; 1990 c
/,,'N 585 s 23; 1991 c 320 s 2; 1997 c 147 s 22,23
203B.14 COUNTY AUDITOR OR MUNICIPAL CLERK MAY EMPLOY ADDITIONAL HELP.
Each county auditor and each municipal clerk may employ additional clerical assistance as necessary to
discharge the responsibilities imposed on the county auditor or municipal clerk as provided in this chapter.
History: 1981 c 29 art 3 s 14
203B.15 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
Each county shall pay the expenses incurred by its county auditor and each municipality or school district
shall pay the expenses incurred by its clerk for administering the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15.
History: 1981 c 29 art 3 s 15; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 20
203B.16 ABSENT VOTERS IN THE MILITARY NEW LANGUAGE 2004
OR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
Subdivision 1. Military service;temporary residence outside United States. Sections 203B.16 to
203B.27 provide alternative voting procedures for eligible voters who are absent from the precinct where they
maintain residence because they are:
(1)either in the military or the spouses or dependents of individuals serving in the military;or
(2)temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States.
Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 are intended to implement the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
Absentee Voting Act,United States Code,title 42,section 1973ff.
Subd.2. Permanent residence outside United States. Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 provide the exclusive
voting procedure for United States citizens who are living permanently outside the territorial limits of the United
States who meet all the qualifications of an eligible voter except residence in Minnesota,but who are authorized by
federal law to vote in Minnesota because they maintained residence in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately
prior to their departure from the United States. Individuals described in this subdivision shall be permitted to vote
only for the offices of president,vice-president,senator in Congress,and representative in Congress.
Subd.3. Duties of municipal clerk.The municipal clerk shall administer the duties of the county auditor in
sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 for municipal elections not held on the same day as a state or county election.
FRIDLEY CITY CODE
CHAPTER 4. ABSENTEE BALLOT PRECINCT ELECTIONS
(Cross-reference: Charter- Chapter 4; Ref. 434)
4.01. ABSENTEE BALLOT PRECINCTS
The Council hereby authorizes the establishment of an absentee ballot precinct within the City of
Fridley, which precinct is authorized to handle all absentee ballots received during any election,
primary or general,within the City. (Ref. 434)
4.02. DUTIES
The Absentee Ballot Precinct Board shall:
1. Receive all absentee ballots for a primary or general election held within the municipality.
2. Check the registration of each absentee ballot against the permanent voter registration
file.
3. Determine the precinct of each absentee ballot voter and report the results of such
election to each precinct with such results to be tabulated with that precinct.
4. Prepare a list for submission to each precinct within the municipality prior to the close of
the election day for the precinct officials to check against the voter registration file to ascertain if
any absentee ballot voter voted in person.
5. Reject any absentee ballots of persons who had voted at a precinct making a notation on
the envelope of the absentee ballot as to the reason for rejection.
6. After the polls have closed in the municipality the Board shall count the absentee ballots
by opening them and tabulating the vote of each absentee ballot voter in a manner which will
indicate each vote of the absentee voter and designate that the vote was received by absentee
ballot.
4.03. MEMBERS
The Council is authorized to appoint the number of persons, which it deems necessary to carry
out the duties of the absentee ballot precinct.
4.04. COMPENSATION
The City shall pay a reasonable compensation to each member of the Absentee Ballot Precinct
Board for services rendered during the election.
Fridley City Code Section 4.05
4.05. APPLICABLE LAWS
This Chapter is deemed to be supplementary to Minnesota State Statutes pertaining to absentee
ballots and general election laws.