CHA 04/25/2005 TO: Charter Commission Members
11,
FROM: Deb Skogen, City Clerk and Staff Liaison
Date: April 20, 2005
CI1YOF Re: Charter Meeting
FRIDLEY
Reminder:
The Charter Commission created a new policy for members to follow regarding attendance at
meetings.
If you plan on attending the meeting, call or e-mail me before 8:00 a.m. Monday, April 25th.
If a commissioner has not called or e-mailed by 8:00 a.m., Monday April 25th, it will be assumed
they will not be attending the meeting.
If there will be a quorum, based on the number of a meeting will be held, but Commissioners
will not be called. If there will not be a quorum, those Commissioners who called will receive a
phone call notifying them there will not a quorum and the meeting will be cancelled. A notice
will then be placed on the door of the cancellation of the meeting for those commissioners who
did not call, but came to the meeting.
Congratulations to the newly elected officers:
Chair—Nancy Jorgenson
Vice-Chair—Peter Borman
Secretary—Kathleen Linder
Deb Phone: 763-572-3523
e-mail: skogend @ci.fridley.mn.us
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 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
March 28,2005
3. Administrative Matters
4. Discussion of Mission Statement
5. Discussion of Future Items
6. Adjournment
Next regular meeting: Monday, May 23, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 1
in the Lower Level
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
March 28,2005
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Findell called the Charter Commission meeting to order at7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Peter Borman,Gary Braam,Don Findell,Bill Holm,Kathleen Linder,Pam Reynolds,
Cindy Soule and Francis Van Dan
Members Absent: Char Fitzpatrick,Anita Gerrity,Craig Gordon,Carol Hoiby,Janet Johnson,Nancy
Jorgenson,Deborah Monden
Others Present: Deb Skogen,City Clerk/Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Borman seconded by Commissioner Braam to approve the agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 28,2005,CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Soule seconded by Commissioner Borman,to approve the February 28,2005,Charter
Commission Minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Membership
Ms. Skogen gave an update on membership. Letters were sent to the Chief Judge for the appointment of Pam
Reynolds and Carol Hoiby and the reappointment of Commissioners Fitzpatrick,Gordon and Jorgenson. She
said the state statute had been changed and there is no longer a macimum term for members. In addition,she
explained that Commissioner Monden had not responded to the letter that was mailed to her about her possible
termination.
Commissioner Borman MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion requesting the city clek to send
a letter to the Chief Judge recommending the termination Commissioner Monden's appointment.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Reynolds MOVED and Commissioner Linder seconded a motion requesting city clerk to send a
letter to the Chief Judge reappointing Commissioners Soule,Findell and Van Dan to another term
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 28,2005 PAGE 2
B. Election of Officers
Commissioner Holm said the nominating committee recommended the election of Nancy Jorgenson as Chair,
Peter Borman as Vice-Chair and Kathleen Linder as Secretary for 2005-06. Chairperson Findell opened the
floor for additional nominations. Being none,the floor was closed.
Commissioner Holm MOVED and Commissioner Borman seconded a motion to unanimously elect Nancy
Jorgenson as Chair,Peter Borman as Vice-Chair and Kathleen Linder as Secretary as officers to the Charter
Commission for 2005-06.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTYING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Findell noted since Commissioner Jorgenson was absent,Commissioner Borman could take on the
role of Chairperson for the remainder of the meeting. Commissioner Borman declined and Commissioner
Findell continued to chair the meeting.
2. DISCUSSION OF MISSION STATEMENT
Commissioner Soule led a discussion on the mission statement. She said she had facilitated severalother similar
group discussions.
Commissioner Holm felt the purpose was defined in the By Laws.
Commissioner Van Dan felt it wasn't how much or what the Commission did,but felt it important to watch what our
government officials are doing and that the Charter Commission has control over he city's purse strings. She
reviewed how the charter was changed in reference to the city manager. Commissioner Van Dan said the
",,,\ Commission learns by doing and should keep at it.
Commissioner Holm asked what doing meant. Commissioner Van Dan said doiig meant keeping discussion and
dialogue open.
Commissioner Holm wondered if they should read each Chapter together and ask questions orhave someone review
a chapter and bring their changes or questions to the Commission. He wondered if they would come ID the
Commission meetings without any agenda. Commissioner Van Dan said the needs of the people change.
Commissioner Holm agreed and said the Charter Commission has to respond to it.
Commissioner Borman wondered ifpeople included city council members,citizens,staff,business and/or taxpayers.
He also wondered if the Commission was trying to enhance the Charter.
Commissioner Reynolds and Linder responded that the charter might be amended because of legislation or
terminology.
A question was asked to define people. Commissioner Van Dan stated people should be defined as individual
property owner who uses community services provided by the municipality. In addition,the city brings in the
businesses to help bring down the tax-load of the residential property owners and provide jobs.
Commissioner Borman felt you walk a fine line of representing the people,but the Commission also has to represent
the city government and look out for what is best for both sides.
Commissioner Van Dan commented or;"of the people,by the people and for the people'and said corporations
don't go bankrupt or die.
Commissioner Soule said the city charter provides a plan for elected officials and staff to operate by.
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CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 28,2005 PAGE 3
Commissioner Reynolds said the true focus was thepeople.
Chairperson Findell said the charter provides rules by which the city operates efficiently and productively to serve
the needs of the people.
Commissioner Borman felt the Charter should not be so restrictingto hinder those running the city.
Commissioner Braam offered the following language as a mission statement
Appointed citizens working together to discuss and refme the ever changing framework of our charter that
guides the efficient business of our city operation.
Further discussion ensued and the Braam language was amended several times as follows:
Court appointed citizens working together to discuss and refine the city charter to guide the efficient and
economical conduct of city business to meet the citizens needs.
By discussing the city charter the work to refme it as necessary to guide the efficient and economical
conduct of city business.
Court appointed citizens working together to amend the charter to meet the changing needs of the
community. Discussing and refming the charterto provide the rules for the efficient and economical
conduct of city business.
Final consensus:
Court appointed citizens discussing and refming the charter to meet the changing community needs. To
,,� provide the rules and the efficient and economic conduct of city business.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Van Dan seconded by Commissioner Holm to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE,ALL VOTING AYE,CHAIRPERSON FINDELL DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen, Kathleen Linder,Secretary
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
DRAFT