CHM 03/26/2001 - 00027196CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
March 26, 2001
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice - Chairperson Gordon called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Don Findell, Craig Gordon, Carter Hendricks, Bill Holm, Nancy Jorgenson, Cindy
Soule, Francis Van Dan
Members Absent: Suzanne Warren, Char Fitzpatrick, Scott Heck, Deborah Monden, Maynard Nielsen,
Regina Querimit
Others Present: Deb Skogen, City Clerk/Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Commissioner Soule seconded by Commissioner Findell to approve the agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE- CHAIRPERSON GORDON DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 26, 2001, CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Jorgenson seconded by Commissioner Hendricks to approve the February 26, 2001,
Charter Commission Minutes.
Vice - Chairperson Gordon requested that the signature of the Secretary be added to the minutes. Commissioner
Soule accepted the amendment.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE- CHAIRPERSON GORDON DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Commissioner Jorgenson MOVED and Commissioner Holm seconded a motion to elect the officers as
recommended by the Nominations Report.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE- CHAIR- PERSON GORDON DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Vice - Chairperson Gordon said that the recognition of outgoing officers and members would be made at
the neat meeting.
2. DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 8 - PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
As there was not a quorum, until 7:45 p.m., the Commissioners informally discussed the working draft of Chapter
8 prior to the meeting without making any motions. It was recommended that Ms. Skogen do a search of all
Adopted April 30, 2001
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OFMARCH 26, 2001 Page 2
Chapters of the Charter to find if the words lowest responsible is in any other part of the Charter besides Chapters
6 and 8. Two small changes were suggested on the working draft. These changes are:
A. Section 8.01. to add an s after the second plan in the first sentence.
B. Section 8.05.1. to not strikeout the word or in the second line, it should be included in the language.
Vice - Chairperson Gordon requested that the corrections be made to the working draft as suggested during the
informal discussion prior to the meeting. He recommended preparing an ordinance to amend Chapters 6 and 8 of
the Charter for the Charter Commission Attorney to review.
Commissioner Van Dan asked if the Commission attorney was on a retainer or if we were billed by the hour. Ms.
Skogen stated we were billed by the hour, not to exceed a maximum of $2000 a year.
DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 9 - EMINENT DOMAIN
Vice - Chairperson Gordon asked who had requested this Chapter be discussed. Ms. Skogen said that it had been
requested last spring by either Commissioner Querimit or Commissioner Monden.
Commissioner Van Dan asked if a copy of the state statute and the Chapter 9 of the City Charter could be included
in their information as well as a definition of what eminent domain was.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
Commissioner Soule wondered about adding a glossary to the Charter and Commissioner Jorgenson agreed it
would be a good idea to have definitions. Vice - Chairperson Gordon said that Commissioner Van Dan had
previously requested there be a glossary.
Commissioner Soule suggested there be a cross - reference by key words. Commissioner Jorgenson agreed and used
the example discretionary vs. non - discretionary.
Commissioner Hendricks recommended using an index and thought it made sense. He did feel that the more
definitions that were included would restrict the ability to interpret the charter.
It was suggested that Ms Skogen prepare disks with electronic version of Charter for members to allow them to do
a search to prepare a glossary.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Commissioner Holm seconded by Commissioner Soule to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, VICE- CHAIRPERSON GORDON DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
"aA
Debra A. Skogen
City Clerk/Staff Liaison
Deborah Monden, Secretary
Adopted April 30, 2001