CHM 01/22/2007 - 29965CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
January 22, 2007
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairperson Borman called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Commissioners Peter Borman, Gary Braam, Craig Gordon, Carol Hoiby, Mary
Kirkwood, Kathleen Linder, Leslie Plummer, and Pam Reynolds
Members Absent: Commissioners Don Findell, Bill Holm, Nancy Jorgenson, Ted Kranz, Noel Ryan and
Cindy Soule
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Commissioner Gordon MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion to approve the agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BORMAN DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 27, 2006, CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES:
Commissioner Gordon MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion to approve the November 27, 2006,
Charter Commission Minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BORMAN DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
a. Vacancy/Resignation
Ms. Skogen reported that Francis Van Dan no longer resides in the City of Fridley and is no longer eligible to
serve on the Charter Commission. Ms. Skogen mailed a letter to Mr. Van Dan at his new address in Remer,
MN notifying him of the information and asking for a letter of resignation. Mr. Van phoned to say he would
be mailing a letter of resignation but it has not been received. She recommended the Commission approve a
motion requesting the judge to remove him from his duties as he is no longer an eligible voter in the City of
Fridley. She said Lois Scholzen, was one of the individuals that was not appointed in the fall and suggested
contacting her to see if she was interested.
Commissioner Gordon MOVED and Commission Kirkwood seconded a motion recommending that the city
clerk send a letter to the chief judge requesting the removal of Francis Van Dan from the Fridley Charter
Commission as he is no longer an eligible voter in the City of Fridley and appointing Lois Scholzen to the
Charter Commission if she is still interested in the position.
Approved 2/26/07
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2007 PAGE 2
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BORMAN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Appointment of Nominating Committee for 2007 -08 Officers
It was recommended that Ms. Skogen contact Chairperson Jorgenson to appoint three members to a
Nominating Committee for the 2007 -08 Officers.
2. DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 2
Vice Chairperson Borman asked Ms. Skogen about the information from the League of Minnesota Cities. She said
after the last meeting she contacted Duke Addicks for information about how many Commissioners were needed
when forwarding a charter amendment. It was thought that all of the members were needed. Mr. Addicks said he
did not recall any requirement requiring all members be present with a unanimous vote upon making a
recommendation. He felt a majority of the members voting if a quorum was present was sufficient.
In reference to the Commissioners question in Section 2.02.6, Mr. Addicks felt the intent was the council would
serve as the canvassing board for city elections. The language was changed in 1975 by Ordinance 592. He said
the Commission could amend the language to reflect the canvassing board and to make it easier to understand.
The Commissioners all agreed to the language change and Ms. Skogen will note it in the draft copy of Chapter 2.
There was a question about who would serve in the absence of the Mayor. Ms. Skogen said that the Council
appoints a member of the council to serve as mayor pro tem in the absence of the mayor. There was a further
discussion of the line of succession both on a temporary basis or vacancies.
There was a discussion about whether or not a city employee could run for office and still remain an employee.
Section 2.05 disqualifies council members from serving as city employees until one year after leaving office.
Commissioner Gordon said the city attorney drafted an opinion that volunteer fire fighters are considered
employees and would have to step down from the job while they served on the council.
3. DISCUSSION OF MISSION STATEMENT
The mission statement was discussed. It was suggested the last sentence Commissioner Holm was recommending
be placed in the original mission statement. Ms. Skogen will make the change and provide it for the neat meeting.
4. DISCUSSION OF GLOSSARY /INDEX (REMAINED TABLED
5. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE ITEMS
The items for the next agenda include Administrative Matters — nominating committee; Chapter 2; Chapter 3 and
the mission statement.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Braam MOVED and Commissioner Gordon seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BORMAN DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen,
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Approved 2/26/07
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2007
Cynthia Soule, Secretary
Approved 2/26/07
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