01-09-2024
39
Charter Commission
January 9, 2024
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Chair Nelson called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
Kelli Brillhart
Donald Findell
Greg Gardner
Manuel Granroos
Nikki Karnopp
Steven Kisner
Rick Nelson
Val Rolstad
Ted Kranz
Pam Reynolds
Absent
Mohammed Barre
Ibsen Gabriel
Others Present
Melissa Moore, City Clerk
Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk
Doug Schmitz, Applicant
Audrey Nelson, Applicant
Clifford Johnson, Applicant
Dave Linton, Resident
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Rolstad to approve the meeting agenda. Seconded by Kisner.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1. Approval of November 6, 2023, Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
Charter Commission 01-09-2024 Minutes Page 2
Motion by Gardner to approve the minutes of November 6, 2023, as presented. Seconded by Brillhart.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Administrative Matters
2. New Member Interviews
Three openings exist on the Commission. Fridley residents Doug Schmitz, Audrey Nelson and Clifford
Johnson submitted interest forms to the Commission for consideration. The Commission asked the
applicants questions related to their backgrounds and interest in joining the Commission.
Motion by Reynolds to recommend Doug Schmitz for appointment to the Chief Judge. Seconded by
Rolstad.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Karnopp to recommend Audrey Nelson for appointment to the Chief Judge. Seconded by
Rolstad.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Rolstad to recommend Clifford Johnson for appointment to the Chief Judge. Seconded
by Brillhart.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
3. Upcoming Terms Expiring: Karnopp and Nelson
Ms. Moore informed the Commission that Commissioners Karnopp and Nelson have terms that are
due to expire in February. Both commissioners indicated they would like to be reappointed.
Motion by Rolstad to recommend Karnopp for reappointment to the Chief Judge. Seconded by
Reynolds.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Karnopp to recommend Nelson for reappointment to the Chief Judge. Seconded by
Rolstad.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
4. 2024 Nominating Committee
Charter Commission 01-09-2024 Minutes Page 3
In preparation for the Election of Officers at the Commission’s March meeting, Chair Nelson appointed
Brillhart, Rolstad and Karnopp to the 2024 Nominating Committee. Chair Nelson asked the committee
to have their report to staff in preparation for the February meeting agenda.
Old Business
5. Chapter 4 Update
Ms. Moore updated the Commission on the status of the ordinance to update Chapter 4 of the
Charter.
New Business
6. Chapters 1, 5 and 10: Legal and Staff Reviews
The Commission reviewed comments offered by the City Attorney and staff. The Commission
discussed various updates to the Chapter.
Motion by Reynolds to remove the word “morals” from the Powers of the City section. Seconded by
Rolstad.
Upon a roll call vote, Rolstad, Kranz, Reynolds, Brillhart, Granroos, Gardner, Karnopp, Kisner and
Nelson voting aye, Findell voting nay. Chair Nelson declared the motion passed.
Motion by Brillhart to direct staff to revise Chapter 1 based on the meeting’s discussion and present
it to the Commission at its February meeting. Seconded by Rolstad.
Upon a roll call vote, all voting aye, Chair Nelson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Future Meeting Topics/Communications
7. Future Meeting Topics
Commissioner Kisner asked if there was training for members that staff could arrange considering
there are so many new members. Staff agreed to reach out to the League of Minnesota Cities and
attempt to plan training for the Commission’s May meeting.
Adjournment
Motion by Kranz to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Findell.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chairperson Nelson declared the motion carried and the meeting
adjourned at 8:27 p.m.