CHM 08/21/2000 - 00027226CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
August 21, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Alvite Warren called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Warren, Findell, Fitzpatrick, Holm, Monden, Nielsen, Querimit, VanDan
Members Absent: Gordon, Soule
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Holm, second by Commissioner Monden to approve the agenda as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON WARREN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. DISCUSSION OF CHARTER AMENDMENT PETITION
Skogen noted to the Commissioners that a circulated, signed charter amendment petition was received on
August 14, 2000. The proposed amendment would amend Chapter 7 pertaining to taxes and collection of
fees. She said the Commission was required to receive the petition and forward it to the City Council.
Motion by Commissioner VanDan and second by Commission Holm to receive a charter amendment
petition pertaining to taxes and fees.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON WARREN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
Commissioner VanDan expressed support of the petition.
Commissioner Findell felt it tied the hands of the city.
Commissioner Holm spoke against the petition as he felt it tied the hands of the elected officials. He said
the Value of his home had gone up six times, inflation four times and taxes only two times. He felt the
history of the city had been good. He said at times in the 80's inflation increased betwee 10 and 17 percent
per year. He felt a maximum of 5% could be disastrous for the city, especially if they had to wait for an
election to adjust taxes. He felt that's what elected officials were for and that the voters could vote them
out of office if they felt they weren't doing their jobs.
Adopted October 30, 2000
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2000
Commissioner Fitzpatrick felt it was too harsh because taxes had been held down.
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Commissioner Warren asked if it were to pass what the city would do. She felt the city might decide to
raise taxes to the full amount each year to protect themselves should there be a time when they needed the
extra money. She wondered if the citizens really wanted to give that power to the council. She felt it was
very divisive.
Commissioner VanDan felt the city could be more economically efficient. She felt that there had been no
lay -offs in the past. That the council could come to the citizens to request a bond issue for operational
expenses, similar to that of the school districts. Commissioner Van Dan briefly reviewed Thomas Paine
and the Boston Tea Party.
Commissioner Holm said that was different because they had no representation in Parliament, however, the
citizens did have elected officials who did represent them.
Commissioner Warren said a lot of people would be affected, that know nothing about the issue, if it
passed and services were no longer available due to budget cuts. She felt if the city had a history of being
fiscally irresponsible she could understand, but that there had been no fiscal abuse and no negligence.
Commissioner VanDan said she elected a council member but did not want to delegate all things to the city
council.
Commissioner Findell wondered if the TIF Districts would be affected if the amendment passed.
Commissioner Nielsen said he did not support the petition.
Commissioner Findell made a motion and Commissioner Monden seconded a motion to forward the Charter
Amendment Petition to the City Council stating that a majority of Charter Commissioners present were not
in favor of this proposed amendment because it imposes restrictions on the City Council which are
unwarranted and very restrictive in how taxes and fees are changed and encourage the City Council to
provide information and discussion groups on this issue.
Commissioner Findell was concerned that people would determine what the taxes should be without
actually knowing what actual monies would be needed to provide the current level of services.
Commissioner VanDan felt that if a tax increase was needed that the City Council should have to come in
front of the people and justify the need for a tax increase.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick felt it would be a very expensive way to run a government.
Commissioner Holm called for a vote on the motion. Upon a vote being taken, the majority of those
present, with the exception of Commission VanDan, who abstained, voted in favor of the motion.
Commissioner Holm made a motion and Commissioner Findell seconded the motion that assuming the
petition goes on the ballot they encourage the City Council to publicize and educate the public as much as
they possibly can prior to the election.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick thought it would be a good idea if the League of Women Voters held a public
forum on this issue.
Adopted October 30, 2000
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2000
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON WARREN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Holm seconded by Commissioner Monden to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON WARREN DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
"aAVt?
Debra A. Skogen
Staff Liaison
Adopted October 30, 2000
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