HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 06-26 CHCMJAN -01 -1900 12:02 FROM TO *705693494
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 26 2002 MEETING OF THE BROOKLYN
CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Knapp at 7:05 p.m.
Members Present: Bursch, Cambanes, Hoist, Secretary Leino, Middleton, Oslund, Theis,
Wolter and Chair Knapp. Brunner arrived at 7:19 p.m.
Members Absent and Unexcused: Hatle and Paulson.
Member Borsch's e-mail address was corrected.
Member Theis' a -mail address was corrected.
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Chair Knapp noted that the Commission has three vacancies, but Hennepin County Chief
Judge Kevin Burke has received one application for membership. City Clerk Sharon
Knutson is still posting vacancies on the web and members are still being sought through
the Sun•Post.
Prior to any further action, the Commission noted that any Amendment to the City
Charter to be proposed by the Commission would require two thirds of the Members
present voting in favor, but at least eight Members must vote in favor of proposing the
Amendment.
The Commission considered the minutes of the March 27, 2002 meeting. Chair Knapp
asked that the sentence on page two indicating that Chair Knapp was opposed to asking the
City Attorney for a legal opinion on a Charter Amendment be changed to indicate that
Chair Knapp felt that requesting such a legal opinion was premature. Member Theis
moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting with the noted changes and Member
Cambanes seconded. The Motion to approve passed unanimously.
Chair Knapp recognized retiring Commission Members Sannes and Thielsen.
Chair Knapp discussed the Commission recognition event held by the City on April 15,
2002.
Ward /At -Large Subcommittee Chair Wolter gave his thoughts on the ward system of
electing Councilmembers. Wolter said that wards might result in less expensive campaigns.
Wolter moved that section 2.03 of the City Charter be amended to read that the Mayor be
elected at -large and Councilmembers be elected by four wards, and that said Amendment
be placed on the November election ballot.
Chair Knapp noted that if adopted, then said Amendment would not take effect until the
next general election cycle.
Wolter wanted to let the people decide the issue.
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Hoist seconded Wolter's Motion.
Wolter noted that the Charter Commission might not be campaigning for or against an
Amendment. Wolter also noted that this logistically could be placed on the November 2002
ballot.
Chair Knapp said the history of Brooklyn Center Council races shows no need for a ward
system.
Bursch said that he opposed the Motion because it could cost the City more money.
Theis said that the system is not perfect, but it works the way it is.
Holst said that the people should decide this issue.
Secretary Leino also said that he wanted to let the people decide the issue.
Brunner said that we are not passing the buck to the voters by proposing an Amendment.
Theis said that voters already had a chance to decide this issue when they approved the
current Charter.
Hoist said that he trusts what the people would decide and there is no risk in letting the
people decide.
Cambanes also said that he wanted to let the people decide the issue.
Holst called the question and by consensus, a roll call vote was held.
Brunner:
Aye.
Bursch:
Nay.
Cambanes:
Aye.
Hatle:
Absent.
Hoist:
Aye.
Leino:
Aye.
Middleton:
Aye.
Oslund:
Aye.
Paulson:
Absent.
Theis:
Nay.
Wolter:
Aye.
Chair Knapp:
Nay.
The vote was 7 Ayes and 3 Nays. While two- thirds voted in favor of the Motion, a
minimum of 3 affirmative votes is required, so the Motion failed.
Chair Knapp noted that City Clerk Knutson sent a letter to the Commission suggesting that
some minor changes be made to the City Charter to bring it into conformance with State
law.
Secretary Leino moved and Theis seconded to adopt the legislative housekeeping changes to
bring the City Charter into conformance with changes in State laws. Motion passed
unanimously.
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By consensus, note was made that the next meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on October 23, 2002.
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JUNE 26, 2002 MINUTES
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Chair Knapp noted that former Member Carlson retired, but wanted the ceremonial gift
converted into a financial contribution to the Crime Prevention Program. Chair Knapp
noted that the City Attorney determined that such a transfer should not be made to the
Crime Prevention Program.
Secretary Leino moved to adjourn and Middleton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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�Jino Stan
Secretary
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