4-7-2025
Charter Commission Meeting
April 7, 2025
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Chair Johnson called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
Mohammed Barre
Brad Bremener
Donald Findell
Greg Gardner
Clifford Johnson
Nikki Karnopp
Steve Kisner
Audrey Nelson
Pam Reynolds
Valerie Rolstad
Doug Schmitz
Kathy Smith
Absent
Ted Kranz
Dave Linton
Rick Nelson
City Council Members Present
Dave Ostwald, Mayor
Ryan Evanson, Councilmember, Ward 2
Ann Bolkcom, Councilmember, Ward 3
Patrick Vesico, Councilmember At Large
Others Present
Wally Wysopal, City Manager
Melissa Moore, Assistant City Manager
Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk
Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve the agenda as presented by Commissioner Karnopp, seconded by Commissioner
Findell.
Upon a voice call vote, all voting aye, Chair Johnson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Charter Commission 04-07-2025 Minutes Page 2
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1. Approval of March 3, 2025, Charter Commission Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the March 3, 2025 Meeting Minutes by Commissioner Reynolds. Seconded by
Commissioner Kisner.
Upon a voice call vote, all voting aye, Chair Johnson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Administrative Matters
2. Upcoming Terms Expiring
Ms. Moore informed the Commission that the terms of Commissioners Rolstad and Findell are set to
expire in May. Both Commissioners indicated they wished to be reappointed.
Motion to reappoint Commissioners Rolstad and Findell by Commissioner Reynolds. Seconded by
Commissioner Karnopp.
Upon a voice call vote, all voting aye, Chair Johnson declared the motion carried unanimously.
3. Discussion with the Fridley City Council
Dave Ostwald, Mayor, opened the conversation asking what the Commission would like to discuss.
Commissioner Nelson brought up a recent water service issue she was experiencing and the high cost
of repair and asked the Council for better education on what costs residents are responsible for with
their water service.
Mayor Ostwald asked for an update on Chapter 5 and the Council and Commission discussed the
potential changes proposed to the chapter, mainly pertaining to the threshold for petition and
referendum signatures.
Commissioners asked the City Council about their goals and objectives for the year. The Council shared
that the Park Improvement Master Plan continues to be a major initiative with construction expected
soon on Commons Park.
Commissioners asked the Mayor what he hopes his legacy would be. Mayor Ostwald responded that
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one his goals is improving traffic safety on University and Central Avenues and completion of the 57
Avenue Bridge.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the Commission had any questions regarding the Commission
Onboarding Manual. Chair Johnson said the Commission is still absorbing the information and plan to
discuss it at the next meeting.
Charter Commission 04-07-2025 Minutes Page 3
Councilmember Vescio took a few minutes to introduce himself to the Commission.
Commissioners asked about plans for the property at Mississippi and Old Central. Mayor Ostwald stated
that single family homes, like the ones behind City Hall, will be constructed there.
Old Business
4. Chapter 5 Review
Commissioner Reynolds asked if the Charter has the authority to change the Charter language or do they
have to follow State Rule? Ms. Moore said she would have to do a little research and ask the City Attorney.
Motion to table the item by Commissioner Gardner. Seconded by Commissioner Schmitz.
Upon a voice call vote, all voting aye, Chair Johnson declared the motion carried unanimously.
Future Meeting Topics/Communications
5. Future Meeting Topics
Candidate Interview Process
Adding Language to the Charter for who can and cannot serve on the Commission, specifically
section 2.013 of Chapter 2
Next Chapter to Review
Bylaws
Chapter 5
Commission Onboarding Manual
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Barre to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Gardner. Upon a
voice call vote, all voting aye, Chair Johnson declared the motion carried unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 8:38 p.m.