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CHM 05/22/2006 - 00028627CITY OF FRIDLEY CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING May 22, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Jorgenson called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Peter Borman, Gary Braam, Don Findell, Char Fitzpatrick, Carol Hoiby, Bill Holm, Nancy Jorgenson, Kathy Linder, Pam Reynolds and Cindy Soule Members Absent: Craig Gordon and Francis Van Dan Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Soule MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion to approve the agenda. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF APRIL 24, 2006, CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES: Commissioner Braam MOVED and Commissioner Borman seconded a motion to approve the April 24, 2006, Charter Commission Minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS A. Vacancies Commissioner Fitzpatrick told the Commissioners that she was resigning from the Commission as she no longer lives in the city. She is in the process of cleaning up and selling her home. This vacancy now creates four vacancies. The Nominating Committee was unable to meet and the Commissioners briefly discussed who they might recommend to the Chief Judge for appointment. There was a question as to whether Commissioner Gordon was still interested in serving as a Commissioner. Staff was directed to prepare a letter to Commissioner Gordon regarding his interest to continue to serve. If Commissioner Gordon chooses to resign, then all five of the names submitted will be recommended to the Chief Judge. Staff was then requested to prepare a packet for the incoming commissioners that would include the bylaws, the mission statement and meeting minutes from the past year, along with Chapter 1. Their books would then be presented at the meeting in September. 2. Discussion of Possible Rate Increase Question Adopted September 25, 2006 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 22, 2006 PAGE 2 Ms. Skogen reviewed the council discussion regarding the possibility of asking for a increase in cents rather than in percentages and that the council was most likely ready to place a question on the ballot this fall. Chairperson Jorgenson wondered if they would have to put the exact breakdown for each tier as she thought they were different rates. Commissioner Reynolds asked if they could use cents rather than percentages which appears to be requested in the charter. Commissioner Borman wondered if you had to put percentage if you could also put what the actual increase would be on the ballot. Commissioner Reynolds wondered what break -even would mean since it appeared there was 23 million in reserves in the three utility funds. Ms. Skogen said that break -even would mean there would not be a profit or a loss for providing the services. Commissioner Soule said that the reserve was a standard financial package and although it may appear there might be 23 million, there really isn't because some of the funds shown are actual assets the city owns and that it is not actual cash. Commissioner Fitzpatrick wondered how to get the information to the voters so that they could easily understand why and increase was needed. Commissioner Reynolds felt that if you did not show a percentage in the question you would have to show each rate structure. Ms. Skogen said that the city council was moving forward to place a question on the ballot and that language was being discussed. Commissioner Soule wondered if the city council would be open to a group of citizens who might review the question prior to adopting it. Chairperson Jorgenson said that ultimately the city attorney should approve the language Ms. Skogen said if a question is adopted for the November ballot, the city council may like to see a citizen committee supporting the question formed to begin campaigning, as the city is limited by what they can provide to its citizens. Chairperson Jorgenson said she applauded the city council for looking at this issue. Staff was directed to update the Charter Commission as ballot language is drafted or adopted by the city council Commissioner Hoiby said she would be interested in helping to support this issue, but would not want to chair the issue. She said she would be happy to go around her neighborhood and let her neighbors know how important it was. Other Commissioners expressed some interest as well, but no one stepped forward to chair the committee. 3. Discussion of Chapter 1 Commissioner Linder thought it would be better to address Chapter 1 in the fall with new members. It would be a way to ease them into the Commission. 4. Discussion of Mission Statement It continued to be tabled at this time, but staff was directed to mail a copy of the mission statement to each commissioner. Adopted September 25, 2006 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 22, 2006 PAGE 3 5. Discussion of Glossary /Index This item continued to be tabled at this time. Commissioner Reynolds said she would like to see the same terminology used throughout the charter. Ms. Skogen said that was the original reason for the glossary as there are terms that may have different interpretations or definitions and the list was formed to try to address that issue. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Braam MOVED and Commissioner Findell seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Debra A. Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison Cindy Soule, Secretary Adopted September 25, 2006