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4-3-2024 Charter Commission and Fridley City Council April 3, 2023 7:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Vice Chair Granroos called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call Present: Mohamed Barre Gary Braam Kelli Brillhart Greg Gardner Manuel Granroos Nikki Karnopp Steven Kisner Ted Kranz Rick Nelson Oluwaseyi Olawore Pam Reynolds Val Rolstad Avonna Starck Absent: Donald Findell, Ibsen Gabriel Others Present: Wally Wysopal, City Manager Scott Lund, Mayor David Ostwald, Councilmember Tom Tillbury, Councilmember Ann Bolkcom, Councilmember Melissa Moore, City Clerk Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Reynolds to amend the agenda to add a meeting opener by Wally Wysopal. Seconded by Commissioner Kisner. Upon a roll call vote, Barre, Braam, Brillhart, Gardner, Granroos, Karnopp, Kisner, Kranz, Olawore, Reynolds, Rolstad and Stark all voting aye, Vice Chair Granroos declared the motion carried unanimously. Charter Commission 4/3/2023 Minutes Page 2 Approval of Meeting Minutes 1. Approval February 6, 2023, Charter Commission Meeting Minutes Motion by Commissioner Reynolds to approve the meeting minutes of March 6, 2023 as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Karnopp. Upon a roll call vote, Barre, Braam, Brillhart, Gardner, Granroos, Karnopp, Kisner, Kranz, Olawore, Reynolds, Rolstad and Stark all voting aye, Vice Chair Granroos declared the motion carried unanimously. New Business 1. Joint Meeting with the Fridley City Council (Council) Mayor Lund asked the Commission if they feel comfortable with the amount of meetings they have each year, noting that some Charter cities only hold meetings once a year, or quarterly. Vice Chair Granroos stated that the Commission is comfortable with the amount of meetings. Other members of the Commission also voiced support for continuing to meet eight times a year as it helps with the work they do and to help in bringing new members up to speed. Commissioner Braam asked if the Council would find value in setting a yearly meeting with the Charter Commission. Councilmembers Ostwald and Tillbury said yes, they see a huge value in setting a yearly meeting. Motion by Commissioner Karnopp to set a yearly meeting between the Council and the Charter Commission every April. Seconded by Commissioner Rolstad. Upon a roll call vote, Barre, Braam, Brillhart, Gardner, Granroos, Karnopp, Kisner, Kranz, Olawore, Reynolds, Rolstad and Stark all voting aye, Vice Chair Granroos declared the motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Ostwald asked if the HF1723 bill would have any bearing on the Commission’s work on Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections. Ms. Moore highlighted a few elements of HF1723 and indicated that the bill would have no bearing on the chapter. Commissioner Brillhart asked if the Council had heard anything from the Public regarding either Chapter 4 or anything else pertaining to Charter. Mayor Lund said he does not have any feedback and believes that many citizens do not realize the City is a Charter City and not a Statutory City. Mayor Lund did say he would try to more often ask people when he is out and about if they have questions about the election process or educate more on what the Charter is and what the Commission does. Commissioner Olawore expressed desire to try to work more collaboratively with the Council and help both groups move forward with their work. Charter Commission 4/3/2023 Minutes Page 3 Commissioner Stark said it would be helpful if something important is happening in the Council’s perspective, the Commission would appreciate someone from the Council or the City Manager to come and share those items with the Commission. Commissioner Kisner added that such collaboration would help move on from past difficulties and help the Commission be more strategic and positive in its future work. Future Meeting Topics/Communications Commissioner Reynolds asked to remove the review of Chapters 5 and 7 from the list of future meeting topics. Commissioner Reynolds asked about adding a review of Chapter 12. Ms. Moore stated she would investigate if there were any developments on the FCC’s review of franchise law and will add her report to the next meeting agenda. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Kranz to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Rolstad. Upon a roll call vote, Barre, Braam, Brillhart, Gardner, Granroos, Karnopp, Kisner, Kranz, Olawore, Reynolds, Rolstad and Stark all voting aye, Vice Chair Granroos declared the motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.