CHM 11/07/2011
CITY OF FRIDLEY
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Braam called the Charter Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Gary Braam, Donald Findell, Marion Flickinger, Carol Hoiby, Ted Kranz, Rick Nelson,
Noel Ryan, and Lois Sholzen
Members Absent: Peter Borman, William Holm, Nancy Jorgenson, Leslie Plummer, Pam Reynolds, Keith
Shaw, and Cindy Soule
Others Present: Cindy Ruschy Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Hoiby MOVED and Commissioner Kranz seconded a motion approving the meeting agenda.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BRAAM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson Braam requested the minutes be amended to include Cindy Ruschy as present at the October 3, 2011
Charter Commission meeting.
Commissioner Hoiby MOVED and Commissioner Ryan seconded a motion approving the Charter Commission
meeting minutes of October 3, 2011 as amended.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BRAAM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Commission Appointments
Commissioners Braam and Nelson agreed to allow the Charter Commission recommend to the Chief Judge to
reappoint them to the Charter Commission as their terms expire in 2012.
The Commission discussed the discharge of Commissioner Leslie Plummer due to lack of attendance and response
to city staff.
Commissioner Nelson MOVED and Commissioner Ryan seconded a motion recommending the discharge of Leslie
Plummer from the Charter Commission and directing staff to write a letter to the Chief Judge requesting the
discharge from the Commission.
Approved January 9, 2012
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 2011 PAGE 2
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BRAAM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED.
DISCUSSION OF CHAPTER 2 - VACANCIES IN THE COUNCIL
Chairperson Braam asked for discussion on the draft copy of Section 2.06 VACANICES IN THE COUNCIL.
Commissioner Findell asked for a clarification of filling the mayor's term if declared vacant, as he was not at the
last meeting. Commissioner Nelson reviewed the discussion from October that the councilmember-at-large is also
elected by all of the citizens and in the current language would fill that vacancy temporarily until filled. As the
Commissioners wanted to try to save some money and the state's election law limiting special election dates, the
consensus was that the councilmember-at-large would fill the vacancy to the end of the term rather than holding a
special election. Commissioner Findell appeared to understand and agree with that decision.
The Commission felt, due to its hard work and diligence for over a year, the changes should be recommended to
Council as proposed in the drafted ordinance.
Commissioner Nelson MOVED and Commissioner Hoiby seconded a motion to submit the Charter Commissions
recommendation to amend the Charter by ordinance pertaining to Vacancies in Council be submitted to the City
Council for public hearing.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Commissioners discussed how to obtain new members. Commissioner Ryan knew of has two individuals that
may be interested. The Commission suggested Commissioner Ryan speak to them and if they are interested,
Commissioner Ryan should get the Candidate information to the City Staff. Staff can then provide the appropriate
application and letter to the Candidates regarding Commission obligations and an interview.
FUTURE MEETING TOPICS
The Commissioners would like to update their Charter books. They requested City Staff provide each
Commissioner with updated pages. They have scheduled the Charter Book update session for their meeting in
January, 2012.
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Nelson MOVED and Commissioner Kranz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON BRAMM DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Ruschy, Staff Liaison Peter Borman, Secretary6
Approved January 9, 2012