05-02-2022
CHARTER COMMISSION
May 2, 2022
7:00 PM
Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue N.E.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT
Gary Braam, Don Findell, Ibsen Gabriel, Greg Gardner, Manuel Granroos, Nikki Karnopp, Ted Kranz, Bruce
Nelson, Rick Nelson, Oluwaseyi Olawore, Pam Reynolds, Val Rolstad, Cynthia Soule, Avonna Starck,
Melissa Moore, City Clerk
ABSENT
Kelli Brillhart
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Commissioner Rolstad to approve the meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Nelson .
Commissioner Reynolds asked for a list of future meeting topics be maintained and reflected in the
agenda under Future Meeting Topics. At previous meetings she asked for review of chapters four, five,
and seven.
UPON A VOICE CALL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
1. Approval April 4 , 2022, Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Granroos to approve the meeting minutes of April 4, 2022. Seconded by
Commissioner Starck.
UPON A ROLL CALL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
2. Upcoming Term Expiring: Manuel Granroos
Staff informed the Commission that Commissioner Granroos’ term is expiring in September.
Charter Commission 05/02/2022 Minutes Page 2
Motion by Commissioner Reynolds to approve the reappointment of Commissioner Granroos. Seconded
by Commissioner Nelson.
UPON A ROLL CALL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
OLD BUSINESS
3. Mission Statement and Strategic Values Commissioner Reynolds said she did not want to include “Act ethically” under the Stewardship strategic value because the Commission would need to define the Commission’s interpretation of the term. Ms.
Moore stated she recommend the Commission somehow define the term, or it may choose to adopt by
reference the Ethics chapter of the Fridley City Code, which are ethical obligations that cover the City
Council, all other advisory commissions, and staff. Commissioner Starck offered different ethical standard
documents of other bodies that may serve as inspiration. The Commission engaged in a discussion.
Motion by Commissioner Gabriel to strike “Act ethically” from the Stewardship strategic value. Seconded
by Commissioner Reynolds.
UPON A ROLL CALL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Commissioner Reynolds asked to reconsider the use of “educating” under the Engagement strategic
value. The group discussed the specific initiatives listed in Exhibit D of the agenda.
Commissioner Olawore asked if the Commission had any sort of code of conduct document, and if not,
he would like the group to work on developing one. Members discussed past instances of disagreeing
with points of view, but the work was always finished in a respectful way. Commissioner Olawore asked
that for the benefit of new members, some sort of code of conduct or technical guide be created to better
onboard new members to the group’s processes.
MOTION by Commissioner Starck to approve the draft mission statement found in Exhibit B of the
agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Karnopp.
UPON A ROLL CALL VOTE, VOTING AYE WERE BRAAM, FINDELL, GABRIEL, GARDNER, GRANROOS,
KARNOPP, KRANZ, NELSON, CHAIR NELSON, OLAWORE, SOULE, STARCK, VOTING NAY WAS REYNOLDS,
CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
The Commission asked staff to begin coordinating a joint meeting with the City Council.
MOTION by Commissioner Olawore to provide, in writing, the approved mission statement to the
Commission at least two weeks prior to the September meeting for consideration to amend the Bylaws.
Seconded by Commissioner Starck.
Charter Commission 05/02/2022 Minutes Page 3
UPON A ROLL CALL VOTE, VOTING AYE WERE BRAAM, FINDELL, GABRIEL, GARDNER, GRANROOS,
KARNOPP, KRANZ, NELSON, CHAIR NELSON, OLAWORE, SOULE, STARCK, VOTING NAY WAS REYNOLDS,
CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS/COMMUNICATIONS
Future meeting topic items requested by commissioners:
• Chapter No. 4: Nominations and Elections
• Chapter No. 5: Initiative, Referendum and Recall
• Chapter No. 7: Taxation and Finances
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Starck to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Rolstad.
UPON A ROLL CALL VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIR NELSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND
THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.