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CHM 04/24/2000 - 00027221CITY OF FRIDLEY CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING April 24, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Alvite Warren called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Alvite' Warren, Findell, Gordon, Monden, Soule, VanDan Members Absent: Fitzpatrick, Holm, Nielsen, Querimit Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk APPROVAL OF March 27, 2000, CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES: It was requested that the minutes be amended as follows: On page 2, 3rd paragraph, fourth line, change the word as to and. MOTION by Commissioner Gordon, second by Commissioner Findell to approve the March 27, 2000, Charter Commission Minutes as amended. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON ALVITE' WARREN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION by Commissioner Gordon, second by Commissioner Findell to approve the agenda as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON ALVITE' WARREN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. A. Discussion of Commission Vacancies Skogen noted that she did not have time to complete the letter to the judge regarding the two resignations and two removals, but that the Commission currently had five vacancies, and letters thanking them for their service. She will get them done before the next meeting. She said information would be placed in the Focus, Community Newsletter and Cable TV. Adopted May 15, 2000 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2000 B. Membership-Bylaws PAGE 2 The question of membership to the Charter Commission was discussed. It was noted that MN Statute, Section 410.05 states that a member must be a qualified voter of the city they reside in. It wasn't necessary to change the by -laws at this time. Chairperson Alvite Warren wondered how the duties of Secretary evolved into the staff liaison's responsibility, rather than having the Secretary of the Charter Commission performing the secretarial duties. Skogen said to the best of her recollection, in reviewing previous minutes, there had always been a staff liaison that prepared the minutes. She said if the Commission felt they would want any changes, she would work with them to accomplish that goal. 2. CONSIDERATION OF REVIEW OF CHAPTER 8 (SECTION 8.05) Chairperson Alvite Warren asked the Commission members if they had any additional questions they would like to ask the City Engineer and Finance Director at the next meeting in response to dollar amounts in the Charter pertaining to contracts. Commissioner Findell wondered how many times the current dollar limits in the Charter affected the City in how they did business and whether or not they felt they could work within those figures or, if they felt it should be changed, what their recommendations would be. He thought it might be easier to change the charter with language referring to state statutes than changing the charter again. Chairperson Alvite Warren recommended using the minutes of the last meeting as a guide to help ask questions for staff to answer. Commissioner Soule wondered if they would like the Charter to be more restrictive and mentioned there may be some contracts on the consent agenda during the council meeting. Commissioner VanDan reviewed his opinion that he felt a consent agenda was illegal. He preferred to have more restrictive language in the Charter. Chairperson Alvite Warren thought limits would require checks and balances. Commissioner Gordon said until they talked with staff they did not know if it needed to be changed. Commissioner Findell thought it might be good to review the number of members needed for a vote on contracts, as the state only requires a majority and not a 4/5 vote. One other question that did come up was whether or not the city had organized a construction department, as listed in the Charter. Adopted May 15, 2000 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2000 OTHER BUSINESS PAGE 3 There was a discussion on when staff might be available to discuss Chapter 8 and Skogen said May 15th worked better than the 22 d due to a Council meeting on the 22 d and that the two amendments would be presented to the council at a public hearing on May 22 d Commissioner Findell said he thought Chapter 5 was now easier to read and cleared up any inconsistencies that seemed to exist. Commissioner Soule said the committee had worked hard the past two years and that Bill Holm should be commended for all of his hard work and effort as Chairperson. The agenda for the next meeting will include Administrative Matters, discussion of Chapter 8 and Other Businesses. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Gordon seconded by Commissioner Monden to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON ALVITE WARREN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, "axawkt? jem Debra A. Skogen Staff Liaison Adopted May 15, 2000