CHM 11/06/2017
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 6, 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, Zach Crandall, Don Findell, Manuel
Granroos, Richard Johnston, Ted Kranz, Bruce Nelson, David Ostwald,
Barb Reiland, Valerie Rolstad,
Members Absent: Commissioners Rick Nelson, Pam Reynolds, Cindy Soule, Avonna Starck
and Richard Walch
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Shelly Peterson, Finance Director
Councilmember Bob Barnette
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Granroos MOVED and Commissioner Rolstad seconded a motion approving the
meeting agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Skogen recommended changing the attendance to reflect that Rick Nelson was not at the
meeting, however, Bruce Nelson was.
Commissioner Braam MOVED and Commissioner Findell seconded a motion approving the
Charter Commission meeting minutes of October 2, 2017 with the recommended changes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A.2018 Meeting Dates
APPROVED JANUARY 2, 2018
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6, 2017 PAGE 2
Chairperson Ostwald asked if the Commission would like to meet quarterly instead of monthly
as they had been doing. He said they did not have a big agenda and thought fewer meetings
would be okay. He said more meetings could be called if needed.
Commissioner Braam suggesting scheduling meetings dates for the whole year and felt
meetings could be cancelled if there were no topics or issues to discuss.
After reviewing the dates for 2018, Commissioner Braam MOVED and Commissioner
Granroos seconded a motion scheduling the 2018 Charter Commission meeting dates for
January 2, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, September 4 and October 1.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
B.Commission Meeting Attendance
Chairperson Ostwald said he had reviewed the attendance records for the year and was
concerned there were a few people who had missed 3 meetings in a row. He said he knew
they wanted to serve and recommended sending letters reminding them about attendance to
find out if they were still committed to the Commission.
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Manny Granroos seconded a motion directing city staff
to send letters to the commissioners who had missed 3 meetings or more in a row to reaffirm
their commitment to the Commission.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS
A.Discussion of Chapter 7
Ms. Peterson said she had talked with the City Attorney and City Bond Counsel pertaining to
the proposed amendments. She had not heard from the City Attorney but had heard from the
Bond Counsel. The Bond Counsel felt the changes were appropriate and felt that Sections
7.13 and 7.14 could be omitted as they were more of a redundancy as these sections would
also be covered under Section 7.12, the first paragraph, which covers the City’s ability to
borrow. While redundant, it was not critical and that the Commissioners could make that
determination.
Commissioner Findell felt anyone reading this section of the Charter would have a better
understanding if the two sections were left in.
Commissioner Reiland felt the detail was necessary.
APPROVED JANUARY 2, 2018
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6, 2017 PAGE 3
After further discussion, Chairperson Ostwald said the consensus was to keep the two
sections as part of the proposed amendment.
Commissioner Braam wondered if the City Attorney should review the amendment.
Ms. Peterson said she had done an extensive review of other charters and the state statute. In
addition, as the Bond Counsel felt the language was appropriate, she was comfortable with it.
Commissioner Kranz thanked Ms. Peterson for all of her hard work and dedication in helping
them to better understand this Chapter of the Charter. Commissioners Johnston and Braam
also expressed their thank you.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Johnston seconded a motion approving
the proposed amendments made to Chapter 7 as provided in the meeting agenda packet.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Johnston seconded a recommending staff
provided the proposed ordinance to the City Council for their review and public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Ms. Peterson thanked the Commissioners for all of their hard work and dedication in
reviewing and amending Chapter 7 of the Charter.
NEW BUSINESS
A.Discussion of Chapter 8
There was some discussion about Section 8.01 pertaining to the City Plan. Ms. Skogen
reminded the Commissioners this section had been amended in 2013 and if they had any
changes, they may want to discuss this Chapter with the departments involved. She said she
understood the need to make the language easier to understand but wanted to remind them
they should steer away from making changes that would affect how zoning is completed.
Commissioner Crandall wondered if in Section 8.02 the word authority should be used rather
than power to remain consistent in the chapters, referring back to Chapter 7.
The commissioners reviewed the definition of authority and power and determined authority
provided the power or right to govern.
Commissioner Crandall wondered if some of this section could be bullet pointed like the first
section to make it easier to understand.
APPROVED JANUARY 2, 2018
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6, 2017 PAGE 4
After further discussion, Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Rolstad
seconded a motion that Section 8.02 be amended as follows:
Section 8.02. ENFORCEMENT OF CITY PLAN.
The Council shall have all necessary power full authority, acting through the City Manager, to
enforce complete adherence by all persons to the plans adopted as provided above, and to adopt
and enforce a comprehensive zoning ordinance. The Council shall have power to pass ordinances
to regulate:
the use of private property,;
the height of buildings,;
and the proportion of the area of any lot which may be built upon; and
to establish building lines.
Such power authority shall be exercised to promote public health, safety, morals, welfare and
convenience.
FUTURE ITEM TOPICS
Term expirations for 2018
Discussion of Chapter 8 – having staff provide the information to the Community
Development Director for his opinion on recommended changes.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Rolstad 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 8:07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Skogen, MMC
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Commissioner Manuel Granroos, Secretary
APPROVED JANUARY 2, 2018