Ordinance No. 1422, Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 105, Commissions, to Establish a Public Arts Commission
Ordinance No. 1422
Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 105, Commissions, to Establish a Public Arts
Commission
The City Council of the City of Fridley does ordain, after review, examination and staff
recommendation that the Fridley City Code be amended as follows:
Fridley City Code
Chapter 105 Commissions
105.01 Purpose
Pursuant to the Fridley City Charter Chapter 2, the Fridley City Council (Council) may create
commissions with advisory powers to investigate any subject of interest to the City of Fridley (City).
Advisory commissions provide for citizen input and are advisory to the Council. Advisory
commissions shall have no decision-making authority, except as expressly established by the
Fridley City Code or Minnesota Statutes (M.S.).
105.02 Commissions Generally
1. Membership
(a) Each commission, unless otherwise indicated, shall consist of seven Fridley residents
appointed by Council.
(b) The Council will annually appoint, by Council resolution, a chairperson to each advisory
commission.
(c) Each commission shall elect a vice chairperson. At any meeting of the commission if
the chairperson is unable to attend, the vice chairperson shall act as chairperson.
(d) The commission members shall be appointed by the Council for three-year terms,
except the Council shall make every effort to stagger the appointments so that the
terms of no more than three members shall expire in any one year. Attempts shall be
made to have all City wards represented on the commissions. Upon the expiration of
their terms of office, members shall continue to serve until their successor shall have
been appointed.
2. Vacancy
Commission members may resign or be removed from office by a majority vote of the
Council. The commission member appointed to fill any vacancy shall serve for the
remainder of the vacated term.
3. Organization
(a) Following the appointment of membership, each of the commissions shall meet,
organize and with the exception of the chairperson, elect any officers, as it deems
desirable.
(b) Adopt rules for its meetings and the transaction of its business, in order to fulfill the
responsibilities of the commission.
(c) The chairperson shall assure the fulfillment of the following responsibilities:
(1) Call and preside over meetings of the commission.
(2) Appear or appoint a representative to appear, if deemed necessary, before the
Council or any City commission pertaining to matters within the scope of the
commission.
(3) Provide liaison with other governmental and citizens' groups pertaining to matters
within the scope of the commission for the purpose of timely and relevant
information for consideration by the commission.
4. Staff Liaison
The City Manager shall assign one member of staff to serve as Staff Liaison to each
commission. The Staff Liaison shall perform only such duties on behalf of a commission as
may be assigned by the chairperson and with the consent of the City Manager. Additional
advisory staff shall be assigned to the commissions by the City Manager within the restraints
of the adopted general fund budget. A Staff Liaison shall not serve as an appointed member
of any City advisory commission.
5. Project Committees
The commissions may establish special project committees to further the objectives of the
commissions and provide for greater citizen participation. Such project committees shall be
appointed by a commission for special projects and shall cease to exist when their activities
are completed. The qualifications for membership, composition and duties of such project
committees shall be at the discretion of the commission. The project committee may be
chaired by a member of the commission, and at least one member of the commission shall
act as a liaison for each project committee.
6. Compensation
The members of the commissions shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for actual
expenses if funds therefore are provided in the adopted general fund budget.
7. Reports
The commissions shall make such reports as requested by the Council. or Planning
Commission.
8. Meetings
Meetings shall be called by the chairperson and shall be held as necessary to fulfill the
responsibilities of the commissions. All meetings of the commissions shall be open to the
public. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings. Findings and recommendations shall be
transmitted by the commission chairperson to the to the Council.
105.03 Planning Commission
1. Commission Established
There is hereby created a Planning Commission for the City of Fridley, Minnesota pursuant to
M.S. Chapter 462.
2. Purpose
(a) The Planning Commission is established to provide comprehensive planning and
zoning advice to the Council, provide a process by which the public may appeal staff’s
interpretation of the Code, or request a variance to performance standards in the
zoning chapters of the Code.
(b) The Council hereby establishes the Planning Commission to serve as the Board of
Appeals and Adjustments and exercise all authority and perform all functions of said
Board pursuant to M.S. §§ 462.351 to 462.364 and operate according to this Code.
3. Scope
(a) The Planning Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Council. Matters
shall be referred to the Planning Commission by the Council, City Manager or
chairperson of the member commissions, and may be assigned to the member
commissions for detailed study and recommendations as required. All
recommendations by the Planning Commission shall be made to the Council.
(b) The Planning Commission is charged with responsibility for community planning,
growth and development of comprehensive goals and policies, including but not
limited to, land use, housing, transportation, , and other related community activities.
(c) The Planning Commission shall advise the Council in the development of programs to
give increased effectiveness and direction in implementing established City goals and
policies and recommend actions needed to carry out planning responsibility.
4. Appeals and Requests
(a) The Planning Commission shall hear and recommend to the Council appeals or
requests in the following cases according to the procedures established in Chapters
128 and 205 of this Code:
(1) Appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision,
or determination made by a City compliance official in the enforcement of the Code,
or State Building Code.
(2) Requests for variances from the literal provisions of Code in instances where strict
enforcement would cause practical difficulties due to circumstances unique to the
individual property under consideration.
5. Membership of Planning Commission
The Planning Commission shall consist of the Planning Commission chairperson, the
chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the chairperson of the
Environmental Quality and Energy Commission, and four members at large.
Nothing herein shall prohibit any Planning Commission members from serving on other
commissions; however, none of these shall be elected as chairperson or vice-chairperson
of any other commissions.
105.04 Parks and Recreation Commission
1. Commission Established
There is established a Parks and Recreation Commission for the City.
2. Purpose
The Parks and Recreation Commission is established to promote the systematic and
comprehensive development of park facilities and recreational activities necessary for the
physical, mental and emotional health and well-being of the residents of the City.
3. Scope
(a) The Parks and Recreation Commission shall act as an advisory commission to the
Council for continuous community planning and development of comprehensive City
goals and policies. Any change in related community planning and comprehensive City
goals and policies must be reviewed by the Council.
(b) The Parks and Recreation Commission shall advise the Council in the development of
programs to give increased effectiveness and direction in implementing established
City goals and policies and recommend actions as needed to provide park and
recreational opportunities.
4. Program
The Commission shall each year, prior to June 1, recommend a capital investment program
for park improvement and acquisition and for public recreation activities for the ensuing year.
5. Funds
For the purpose of financing the parks and recreation programs authorized by this Chapter,
the accounting shall be the responsibility of the City Treasurer. The Commission shall be
authorized to establish charges or fees for the restricted use of any facility or to make any
phase of the recreation program wholly or partially self-sustaining.
105.05 Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
1. Commission Established
There is established an Environmental Quality and Energy Commission for the City.
2. Purpose
The Environmental Quality and Energy Commission is established to stimulate interest in and
to promote an awareness of environmental and energy concerns among citizens and
businesses of the City. It will serve as a resource to the City in the conservation and
management of energy and the environment, including information on environmental
problems, laws, policies, and regulations of the county, metropolitan, state, and federal levels
to the extent of their effect on Fridley and advise the Council, the City Manager, and other
appropriate City commissions on matters pertaining to conservation and management of
energy and the environment, including the review and recommendation of programs and
policies within the City.
3. Scope
(a) The Environmental Quality and Energy Commission shall act as an advisory
commission to the Council for continuous community planning and development of
the comprehensive City goals and policies. Any change in related community planning
and comprehensive City goals and policies must be reviewed by the Council.
(b) The Environmental Quality and Energy Commission shall advise the Council in the
development of programs to give increased effectiveness and direction on
implementing established City goals and policies, and recommend actions as needed
relevant to the conservation and management of environmental and energy resources.
105.06 Public Arts Commission
1. Commission Established
There is hereby created a Public Arts Commission for the City.
2. Purpose
The Public Arts Commission is established to foster the development of the arts, to advise the
Council on arts related matters and to stimulate participation in and appreciation of the arts
by residents.
3. Scope
(a) The Public Arts Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Council on matters
pertaining to visual public art within the City. The Commission develops a general policy
for inclusion and approval of visual art in public places and projects as well as informs and
educates the public about the importance and need for visual arts integration within public
spaces, including parks, green space, City facilities and other buildings freely accessible to
the public.
(b) The Public Arts Commission promotes the acquisition, maintenance, and upkeep of
works of art on sites throughout the City.
(c) It may advise the City Council and other community groups and agencies who are
initiating a public art project concerning the proposed site, selection of a professional artist
and commissioning of a public artwork. The Commission shall cooperate with foundations,
educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, other governmental agencies, and
various civic groups to foster a broad public arts program for the community.
4. Membership of Public Arts Commission
(a) Members must have an interest in the various studies of the arts.
(b) Members must be residents of Fridley.
(c) Ex official members:
(1) may be appointed by the Council;
(2) may serve for specified terms;
(3) are not required to live in the City;
(4) may include persons under age 18; and
(5) do not have voting privileges.
5. Annual Report
Every year the Commission must make a written or oral report to the Council of the
Commission's activities for the calendar year.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Fridley on this 22nd day of April, 2024.
______________________________________
Scott J. Lund - Mayor
______________________________________
Melissa Moore - City Clerk
First Reading: April 8, 2024
Second Reading: April 22, 2024
Summary Publication: April 25, 2024