CHA 05/07/2018
TO: Charter Commission Members
FROM: Annie Leibel, City Management and Elections Asst.
Date: April 18, 2018
Re: Charter Commission Meeting of May 7, 2018
This is a reminder to you that the next Charter Commission meeting will be held on Monday,
th
May 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room A on the Upper Level.
In order to ensure a quorum, please remember, the Charter Commission policy requires each
th
member to call or e-mail staff before 10:00 a.m. MONDAY, May 7. Please contact me at 763-
572-3508 or email me at annie.leibel@fridleymn.gov or Deb at (763) 572-3523 or e-mail me at
deb.skogen@fridleymn.gov about your attendance.
If we do not have a quorum by 10:00 am, I will send out an e-mail to see if additional members
will attend. If by Noon there will not be a quorum, I will send out a follow-up e-mail to all
members of cancellation of the meeting and post a cancellation notice on the door for those
Commissioners who did not contact me, but came to the meeting.
We are providing a copy of the bylaws and the amendments to Chapter 8 in ordinance format.
If you have any other questions or concerns pertaining to this meeting, please contact me.
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018
7:00 P.M.
LOCATION:
FRIDLEY MUNICIPAL CENTER
CONFERENCE ROOM A UPPER LEVEL
1.CALL TO ORDER:
2.ROLL CALL:
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion approving the May 7, 2018 meeting agenda
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion approving the April 2, 2018 meeting minutes
5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Reappointment of Commissioner Granroos
B. Discussion to Recommend Bylaws Amendment
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review and Recommendation of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 8
7. NEW BUSINESS
A.
8. FUTURE MEETING TOPICS/COMMUNICATIONS
A.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting
Next Regular Commission Meeting
Date: SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
April 2, 2018
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Ostwald called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Commissioners Kelli Brillhart, Manuel Granroos, Richard Johnston, Ted
Kranz, Bruce Nelson, David Ostwald, Barb Reiland, Valerie Rolstad,
Cindy Soule, and Avonna Starck
Members Absent: Commissioners Gary Braam, Zach Crandall, Donald Findell, Rick Nelson,
and Pam Reynolds
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Annie Leibel, City Management and Elections Assistant
Dolores Varichak, Councilmember Ward 2
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ms. Skogen stated the date of the agenda should be changed to April 2, 2018.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Starck seconded a motion approving the
meeting agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Rolstad seconded a motion approving the
Charter Commission meeting minutes of February 5, 2018.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A.Reappointment of Commissioner Kranz
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CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 2, 2018 PAGE 2
Commissioner Kranz agreed to be reappointed to another term.
Commissioner Rolstad MOVED and Commissioner Reiland seconded a motion directing staff to
prepare a letter to the Chief Judge recommending the reappointment of Commissioner Kranz.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
B. Election of Officers
opened the nominations. Seeing none, nominations were closed.
Commissioner Kranz MOVED and Commissioner Reiland seconded a motion approving the
elect Commissioner Ostwald the chair, Commissioner
Rolstad the vice chair, and Commissioner Nelson the secretary.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
C. Review of Bylaws
Chair Ostwald asked if there were any changes the Commissioners would like to make.
Commissioner Brillhart stated Section 3E should be edited to read Except as provided in these
byNewly
Commissioner Starck stated chair should not be capitalized unless it is used as a proper name.
Chair Ostwald stated staff liaison and city clerk should also be lowercase.
Commissioner Johnston questioned if 9A should read 14 days instead of two weeks.
Ms. Skogen noted two weeks was significant because agendas are typically distributed only one
week in advance of the meeting, but there was no difference between 14 days and two weeks.
Commissioner Starck stated in some lists there were periods following some of the items. She
suggested this be uniform throughout the bylaws. Ms. Brillhart stated the periods should be
removed.
Chair Ostwald stated Section IV Membership should be addressed.
Commissioner Reiland stated members should be expected to fully perform their duties, and
regardless of any special duties, should be expected to attend meetings.
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 2, 2018 PAGE 3
Commissioner Starck suggested the bylaws be changed to no more than (3) consecutive meetings
can be missed without an adequate excuse.
Commissioner Soule stated it is difficult to get business done when people are absent, and it
sometimes results in missed meetings because the Commis
Commissioner Reiland stated a valid excuse should be required before missing a meeting.
Councilwoman Varichak asked how missing no more than (4) consecutive meetings was
Commissioner Kranz MOVED and Commissioner Johnston seconded a motion approving the
three (3) four (4) consecutive meetings without an
adequate excuse, or failing to perform the duties of the office shall be subject to a discharge from
the Commission upon a written request to the Court, supporting by two-thirds (2/3) of the
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Commissioner Granroos asked if another meeting could be added if it was deemed necessary by
Chair Ostwald stated additional meetings could be set at the discretion of the Commission or the
chair could call a meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
A.Continued Discussion of Chapter 8
Chair Ostwald stated the changes discussed at the last meeting were reflected in the
Commissioner Starck stated the items in the list in section 8.01 should not be capitalized. Ms.
Skogen noted she had added a sentence about how to alter the comprehensive plan in section
8.01.
In section 8.03, Ms. Skogen clarified there are two ways to initiate a local improvement or
special assessment. She explained the state r
signatures to initiate the local improvement process.
Ms. Skogen addressed section 8.05, stating the Commission had asked her to see if there was a
contract limit. After researching the question, she could not find a contract limit. However, if
DRAFT
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 2, 2018 PAGE 4
there is an assessment,the benefits of the special assessment cannot exceed the benefits to the
property under state statute.
Commissioner Rolstad asked if public works found it difficult to secure funds to upgrade
equipment. Ms. Skogen said no, but the old language may have helped create the public works
department.
Commissioner Reiland MOVED and Commissioner Starck seconded a motion approving the
changes to Chapter 8.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON OSTWALD DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Ms. Skogen stated she would have Chapter 8 in ordinance format for the next meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Skogen suggested the Commission consider topics to discuss at the next meeting. Chair
Ostwald stated the next meeting could focus on the fall agenda.
Commissioner Kranz thanked Councilmember Varichak for the cooperation between the City
Council and Charter Commission. He felt the cooperation between the two bodies had been very
successful.
Councilmember Varichak appreciated the partnership and thanked the Commission and City staff
for their help with these changes.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Granroos 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 7:57 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Leibel
City Management and Elections Assistant
Commissioner Bruce Nelson
Secretary
DRAFT
FRIDLEY HOME RULE CHARTER COMMISSION
BY-LAWS
Proposed 04/02/18
I. NAME -- the name of the organization shall be the Fridley Home Rule Charter
Commission.
II. PURPOSE -- the purpose of this organization shall be to frame and amend the Charter to
meet the needs of the residents of Fridley.
III. MEETINGS
A. Commission meetings will be held in the Fridley Municipal Center; or a designated
public location upon proper notice.
B. The annual meeting shall be held in March of each year. The election of officers
shall take place at the annual meeting.
C. Special meetings may be called by the Cchair; or, the Cchair, upon receipt of a
written request signed by five (5) members, shall, within ten (10) days, call a special
meeting upon proper notice.
D. A quorum to conduct business shall be determined according to the following
schedule:
Number of Appointed Charter Commission Members Quorum
15, 14, 13 7
12 or 11 6
10 or fewer 5
E.Except as provided in these by-laws, all meetings shall be governed in accordance with
Rosenbergs Rules of Order Newly Revised 2011.
F.The time of the meeting shall be called by the chair. If there is not a quorum within ten
minutes after the meeting time is to commence, the members shall be dismissed. However,
if the chair felt there was important business to be addressed, the chair would have the
discretion to ask members to stay longer, but may not exceed an additional 10 minutes past
the specified time.
IV. MEMBERSHIP -- The membership of this organization shall be 15 members.
A. All members shall be expected to attend all meetings. If unable to attend, the
member shall inform either the Cchair or the Ssecretary as to the reason.
Approved Bylaws 05/02/2016 Page 2
B. Any member missing four (4) three (3) consecutive meetings without an adequate
excuse, or failing to perform the duties of the office shall be subject to a discharge
from the Commission upon a written request to the Court, supporting by two-thirds
(2/3) of the Commission members present and voting.
V. OFFICERS
A. Election of Officers.
1. The officers of this organization shall be a Cchair, Vvice Cchair and a
Ssecretary.
2. The Cchair, Vvice Cchair and Ssecretary shall be elected from the
membership of the Commission.
3. The Cchair, Vvice Cchair and Ssecretary shall be elected at the annual
meeting. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the
same office.
4. All officers shall begin their terms of office upon election to that office.
5. Election to vacant offices shall be made from the floor at the next meeting
following the meeting at which the vacancy is declared.
6. Officers of this organization shall be declared duly elected by a simple
majority vote of those present and voting. Any contested race for an office
shall be done by a written ballot. The Aacting Cchair will ask for a teller
committee of two (2) to count the ballots.
B. Duties of Officers and City Staff Liaison.
1.The Cchair shall have the following responsibilities:
a.to call all regular and special meetings;
b.preside at all meetings;
c.set the agenda;
d.implement the decisions of this Commission; and
e.participate in all Commission decisions as a voting member.
2. The Vvice Cchair shall assist the Cchair in the performance of these duties.
In the event the Cchair is unable to perform these duties, the Vvice Cchair
shall discharge such duties.
3.The Ssecretary shall be responsible for:
a.keeping an accurate record of attendance;
b.recording of minutes at all meetings;
Approved Bylaws 05/02/2016 Page 3
c.distributing minutes to members within a reasonable time
d.giving notice to members who have missed three (3) consecutive
meetings pursuant to Article IV, Section B, of the By-Laws;
e.transmitting all correspondence and related resource material
concerning this Commission to the Ccity Cclerk for retention; and
f.presiding at meetings in the absence of the Cchair and Vvice Cchair.
4.The Ccity Sstaff Lliaison shall be designated by the Ccity Cclerk and serve
as a recording secretary at all meetings of the Charter Commission. The
Lliaison, with the direction of the Ssecretary, will have the following
responsibilities.
a.serve in an advisory capacity at all meetings as a non-voting
member;
b.assist the cCommission by providing research information as
requested by Officers;
c.accurately record attendance and minutes of all meetings;
d.distribute minutes and notices of upcoming meetings with proposed
agenda in a timely manner;
e.prepare proposed Charter changes for submission to the City
Council; and
f.submit records of proceedings to the Ccity Cclerk for retention.
VI. COMMITTEES
A.The Cchair shall have the power to create committees, appoint members and
designate chairs of those committees.
B. In January of each year the Cchair shall appoint a nominating committee of three (3)
or more members who shall report the nomination of one (1) or more candidates for
each office. A written report of such nominations shall be mailed to each member at
least ten (10) days before the annual meeting.
VII. VOTING
A. A majority vote of members present shall be sufficient to pass motions and
resolutions except as provided elsewhere.
B. There shall be no secret votes, other than contested election(s) of officers.
VIII. ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Call to Order by the Chair.
2. Roll Call.
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes.
Approved Bylaws 05/02/2016 Page 4
5. Administrative Matters.
6. Old Business.
7. New Business.
8. Future Meeting Topics
9. Adjournment.
IX. AMENDMENT
A. These by-laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the Commission by a two-
thirds (2/3) vote of those present, provided that the amendment has been submitted
in writing to the members at least two (2) weeks before the vote on the amendment.
ORDINANCE NO. ____
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER CHAPTER 8. PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
The Fridley City Charter has completed its review of Chapter 8 and has recommended an
amendment of the City Charter by Ordinance to the City Council on May 7, 2018.
The Fridley City Council hereby finds after review, examination and recommendation of the
Charter Commission that Fridley City Charter Chapter 8 related to public improvements and special
assessments should be hereby amended and ordains as follows:
FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER
CHAPTER 8. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Section 8.01. THE CITY PLAN.
The present zoning and comprehensive plans shall be the plans for future physical development of
the City. Plans may be altered from time to time. To alter a zoning plan, the City Council shall
hold a public hearing and notice published fourteen (14) days prior to hearing with notices sent to
affected property owners. The comprehensive plan may be altered in accordance with Minnesota
state law. It The plans may include provisions for: (Ref Ord 1310)
zoning;
platting and development of new areas;
planning and location of public works of art;
public buildings;
parks;
playgrounds;
bridges;
public transportation services and facilities;
other public facilities;
designing and improving streets;
designing and improving public places; and
other matters which may seem essential to the City plan.
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,;
andthe 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.
Section 8.03. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
The City shall have the power authority to make any and every type of public improvement not
forbidden by the laws of the State and to levy special assessments to pay for all such improvements
as are of a local character, in accordance with Minnesota State Statute Chapter 429, Local
Improvements, Special Assessments. The amounts assessed to benefited property to pay for such
local improvements may equal the cost of the improvements, including all costs and expenses
connected therewith, with interest, until paid, but shall not exceed the benefits to the property.
Section 8.04. LOCAL IMPROVEMENT REGULATIONS.
The City Council may prepare and adopt a comprehensive ordinance, prescribing the procedure
which shall determine all matters pertaining to the making of local improvements thereafter, and
such ordinance shall supplant supercede all other provisions of law on the same subject and may be
amended only by an affirmative vote of at least four (4) members of the City Council. Such
ordinance shall provide for such notice and hearing in the ordering of improvements and the making
of assessments therefore as shall be necessary to meet the state of Minnesota constitutional
requirements evy and collect assessments for the initiation of local improvements upon property
Such ordinance shall allow for initiation of a local improvement by:
1.a petition signed by a majority of the owners bordering the proposed improvement; or
2.by the city council initiating a local improvement and ordering a feasibility report.
Section 8.05. PUBLIC WORKS HOW PERFORMED.
1.Public works including all local improvements, may be constructed, extended, repaired or
maintained either by contract or directly by day labor. Before receiving bids the City
Manager shall, under the direction of the City Council, have suitable plans and
specifications prepared for the proposed material or project and estimate of the cost thereof
in detail. The award of any contract shall not exceed the real measure of benefit which is the
increase in the market value of the land because of the improvement. amounting to more
than what is allowable under Minnesota state statutes shall require an affirmative vote of at
least four (4) members of the City Council. When the best interest of the City will be served
thereby, tThe City Council may organize a public works department and may provide the
public works department with suitable equipment to perform their duties. (Ref. Ord. 1310)
2.The right is reserved to the City Council, upon the recommendation of an engineer, acting
through the public works department, to bid on any work to be let by contract. All
contracts shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder who is qualified in accordance
with Minnesota State Statutes. The term "lowest responsible bidder" shall be interpreted
as giving the City Council the right to accept any bid which it determines to be most
advantageous to the City. The City Council shall reserve the right to reject any or all
bids in accordance with Minnesota State Statute Chapter 429. The City shall require
contractors to furnish proper bonds for the protection of the City, the employees and
material person.in accordance with Minnesota state law. (Ref. Ord. 776)
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIDLEY THIS ___ DAY OF __________, 2018.
_______________________
Scott J. Lund, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Debra A. Skogen, City Clerk
Public Hearing:
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Publication Date: