CHM 09/05/2017
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
September 5, 2017
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Ostwald called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Commissioners Gary Braam, Don Findell, Richard Johnston, Ted Kranz,
Bruce Nelson, Rick Nelson, David Ostwald, Barb Reiland, Valerie Rolstad,
and Avonna Starck
Members Absent: Commissioners Zach Crandall, Manuel Granroos, Pam Reynolds, Cindy
Soule and Richard Walch
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Jake Foster, City Management Intern
Scott Lund, Mayor
Dolores Varichak, Councilmember Ward 2
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Braam seconded a motion approving the
September 5, 2017, meeting agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Skogen stated the meeting date on page one should be May 15 not May 1.
Commissioner Reiland said the sixth paragraph on page 6 should be corrected. The word “asked”
will be removed from that sentence.
Commissioner Nelson reminded staff there are now two Commissioner Nelsons and
recommended placing their first name in the minutes when they speak. The minutes were
reviewed and the first name will be added where appropriate.
The minutes should reflect the last name of the guest who was at the meeting as Doth
APPROVED 10-02-2017
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 2
Commissioner Rick Nelson MOVED and Commissioner Rolstad seconded a motion approving
the Charter Commission meeting minutes of May 15, 2017, as amended.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Charter Commissioner Membership
Ms. Skogen stated that Commissioners Walch and Johnston terms expired in September. She had
contacted Commissioner Walch and he was interested in serving another four year term.
Commissioner Johnston said he was just getting started and would like to be reappointed to a full
term.
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Starck seconded a motion reappointing
Richard Walch and Richard Johnston to the Charter Commission for a full four year term and
directing staff to write a letter to the Chief Judge recommending the reappointments.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
B.Update on Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 7
Ms. Skogen updated the Commissions on the ordinance to Chapter 7 of the Charter which was
recommended to the City Council in May. The public hearing was scheduled and held and the
first and second readings were held. If a referendum petition were circulated, it would have to be
submitted within 60 days or by October 3rd. At this time staff has not heard of any petitions
circulating. If a petition is not submitted, the ordinance becomes effective after 90 days or
nd
November 2. Once effective, the City Council may use the changes for planning the 2018
budget.
Mayor Scott Lund thanked the Commissioners for all of their hard work and due diligence. He
said staff was working on preparing the annual budget and has had some discussion with Council.
In light of the changes, there will most likely be an increase, but it will not be 8% and suspect it
will be under just under the 5%.
Councilmember Dolores Varichak thanked the Commissioners for working so hard on Chapter 7
over the past year to understand the process and make the necessary changes.
Mayor Lund said the City Council recognizes the importance of maintaining a workable budget
that does not put the City in a deficit and to be responsible for all taxpayers that pay into the levy.
APPROVED 10-02-2017
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 3
OLD BUSINESS – DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 7
Ms. Skogen said the Commissioners were asked to review the memo prepared by the Finance
Director in May as it related to accounting standards and regulations at the state and federal law
changes. She said it was their opportunity to ask questions so answers could be provided at the
next meeting. The easiest way to begin would be to go section by section.
Chairperson Ostwald reviewed the memo relating to Section 7.04.
Commissioner Rick Nelson suggested listing the title of Chapter 275, as the statute changes are
made from time to time, the numbering changes or language is deleted. The title would give us a
frame of reference for future use.
Commissioner Findell thought there was a lengthy discussion in a previous meeting that they
agreed they would not mention the specific statute in the language, but refer to state law and
provide the Statute numbers at the end of Chapter 7 to stay current.
Ms. Skogen said that was correct. But it might be ok to use the title because sometimes the
Legislature deletes a whole chapter and creates a new one while giving it the same title.
Commissioner Findell suggested rather than having a title you would refer to the statute number
and add pertaining or referring to the specific subject matter.
Commissioner Reiland wondered if all of the statute numbers had been removed for the changes
that were made in the spring.
Ms. Skogen said she believed that was correct and that the statutes would be referenced at the
end of the Chapter.
Commissioner Starck said the title of MN Statute 275 was Taxes; Levy, Extension.
Commissioner Kranz said he remembered the Finance Director said the City was out of
compliance with some of the statutes in the Charter and wondered if she made recommendations
to make changes to come into compliance.
The Commissioners discussed a chart that had been provided and copies were made for further
discussion.
The Commissioners began reviewing Section 7.04 and found that it was unclear as to what
language was added or deleted. After reviewing other sections, the Commissioners agreed it was
too difficult to understand.
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Findell seconded the motion directing staff to
meet with the Finance Director and re-edit the language by showing underlines for new language
and strikethroughs for deleted language.
APPROVED 10-02-2017
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 PAGE 4
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINES
There was no new business.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS/COMMUNICATIONS
Continued discussion of Chapter 7
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Kranz MOVED and Commissioner Reiland seconded a motion to adjourn the
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:41 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen, MMC
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Commissioner Manuel Granroos, Secretary
APPROVED 10-02-2017