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CHM 09/25/2006 - 00028630CITY OF FRIDLEY CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING September 25, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Borman called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Borman, Braam, Findell, Gordon, Hoiby, Holm, Jorgenson (7:05 p.m.), Kirkwood, Kranz, Linder, Plummer, Reynolds, Ryan, and Soule (7:10) Members Absent: VanDan Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Gorgon MOVED and Commissioner Hoiby seconded a motion to approve the agenda. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BORMAN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MAY 22, 2006, CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES: Commissioner Gordon MOVED and Commissioner Reynolds seconded a motion to approve the May 22, 2006, Charter Commission Minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BORMAN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairperson Jorgenson was now present and Commissioner Borman released the meeting to her. 1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS A. Introduction of New Members New Commissioners Mary Kirkwood, Ted Kranz, Leslie Plumber and Noel Ryan introduced themselves. Then the Commissioners went around the room and introduced themselves and welcomed the new members to the Commission. 2. DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 1 Chairperson Jorgenson would like to take a look at the state law referencing municipalities and what their powers are as the Brooklyn Park, Plymouth and Robbinsdale charters reference the state statute and are very short to make sure that the city would not be giving up any powers. There was a discussion about whether to change chapter one or just make it more readable and understandable. Adopted October 23, 2006 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 22, 2006 PAGE 2 Commissioner Holm said to remember that any changes have to go before the Council and that you would not want to change the substance of the language by simplifying language, omitting language or causing an unexpected change. He preferred not to make any changes unless a change was really needed. Commissioner Reynolds said that changing the format did not change the content, would make the document easier to read. Commissioner Borman MOVED and Commissioner Findell seconded a motion to have Ms. Skogen provide Chapter 1 as a double spaced copy separating each section at the semi- colon. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. There was a discussion about the meaning of semi - colons versus commas Commissioner Hoiby MOVED and Commissioner Reynolds seconded a motion requesting Ms. Skogen provide the state statute related to city powers at the next meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The Commissioners concurred that there be no changes to Section 1.03 and 1.04 at this time, but that Ms. Skogen should review Section 1.04 to see that it is in compliance with state and federal election laws. 5. DISCUSSION OF MISSION STATEMENT This item was not removed from the table, but it was suggested new commissioners review the mission statement and see if it made sense. 6. DISCUSSION OF GLOSSARY /INDEX Commissioner Findell said the glossary /index was an aid to the Charter versus part of the Charter. Commissioner Soule said the Commission needed to be careful not to change the meaning of the Charter by changing the definitions of some terms. Chairperson Jorgenson told the new Commissioners that they should feel free to raise any questions they might have or issues they do not understand. Commissioner Hoiby asked how the idea of the glossary came to be. Commissioner Gordon said that the glossary /index began when there was not a lot of work needed on the Charter. It was determined by the Commission that they would review each chapter and come up with words that might hard to understand. He said it was not determined as whether it would be an aid for people using the Charter or would become part of the Charter. Commissioner Reynolds wondered if the idea of suggesting a glossary was for consistency and Commissioner Gordon said yes, that it was for consistency and for terms the commissioners did not understand. Commissioner Soule said if it was used as a tool, rather than as part of the charter, it might help new commissioners understand the terminology. Chairperson Jorgenson used eminent domain and the Commission discussed the many different definitions. 7. FUTURE ITEMS Adopted October 23, 2006 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 22, 2006 PAGE 3 Discussion of Chapter I — review of state and federal laws, statutory vs home rule (LMC brochure) and providing double spacing and numbers for Chapter 1. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gordon MOVED and Commissioner Holm 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 8:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Debra A. Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison Cynthia Soule, Secretary Adopted October 23, 2006