HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 03-27 CHCMMINUTES OF THE MARCH 27, 2002 BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER
COMMISSION MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairman Knapp.
Members Paulson and Hade were absent and excused.
Member Theis provided current e -mail address
The minutes of the June 27, 2001 meeting were corrected to reflect to show that Member Sannes
was inadvertently mentioned twice and second reference to Member Swanson should be deleted.
Member Holst moved to approve the minutes of the June 27, 2001 meeting as corrected and
Member Middleton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
The report of the Ward- versus -at -Large Subcommittee was heard:
1) The Subcommittee recommended that a public hearing was not necessary.
2) Subcommittee Chair Wolter asked that the Minutes of the February 13, 2002 meeting
of the Ward versus -at -Large Subcommittee be attached to these Minutes.
3) Subcommittee Chair Wolter noted that an eventual Charter Amendment would have
to be put on a ballot for this issue.
Wolter moved that the Commission recommend the City Council be elected through four wards and
the Mayor be elected at- large. Wolter withdrew his Motion.
Member Holst moved to continue consideration of the ward system and Member Cambanes
seconded. Discussion ensued. Chairman Knapp expressed opposition to proposing a ward system.
Member Theis opposed proposing a ward system based on fragmentation of the City. Member
Bursch opposed proposing a ward system. Member Brunner expressed approval of a ward system.
Member Middleton and Secretary Leino said that they were undecided on a ward system of elections.
Members Cambanes and Wolter expressed a preference for a ward system. Member Theis asked for
a roll call vote on the ward issue.
Brunner: Aye.
Bursch:
Nay.
Cambanes:
Aye.
Hatle:
Absent.
Holst:
Aye.
Leino:
Aye.
Middleton:
Aye.
Oslund:
Nay.
Paulson:
Absent.
Theis:
Nay.
Wolter:
Aye.
Knapp:
Nay.
The vote being six Ayes and four Nays, the preference of the Commission would fail to support
proposing a referendum to the City on whether the City should have a ward system of electing the
Councilmembers.
MARCH 27, 2002 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
Page 2
Member Wolter moved to have four wards for electing Councilmembers and an at -large vote for
Mayor. Middleton seconded.
The agenda was suspended to allow Member Holst to present Audit report.
Member Brunner moved to approve the annual Audit report and Middleton seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
Member Holst was excused at 7:54 p.m.
Discussion continued about a ward system for electing Councilmembers. Member Wolter said that
his whole purpose is to let the voters decide regardless of his position. Member Wolter said that he
felt that the Commission may make a recommendation on such an amendment without taking a
position on whether to approve.
Chair Knapp said that a minority report and majority report would be appropriate. Member Theis
said that no minority or majority reports should be issued. Secretary Leino argued against issuing
minority and majority reports.
Member Oslund suggested that the City Attorney give an opinion on a proposed amendment. Chair
Knapp argued against asking the City Attorney for an opinion.
Various Members wondered how the wards would be drawn if approved.
Chair Knapp reported the activities of the Charter Commission to the City Council on March 18,
2002 and when he mentioned consideration of a ward system, all five members of the City Council
expressed opposition to adopting a ward system.
Member Oslund said that she would not oppose putting a proposed amendment on the ballot.
Member Theis said that he was not convinced that things were broken. Member Brunner said that
the at -large system is broken.
Secretary Leino moved to hold a vote at the next Charter Commission meeting on whether to
propose an amendment to the City Charter for the voters to decide whether City Councilmembers
should be elected by wards. Member Oslund seconded.
Discussion of the Motion ensued.
Member Theis said that he wanted the ward issue on the next agenda, but would not support the
Motion.
Members requested a roll call vote.
Brunner: Abstain
Bursch: Abstain
Cambanes: Aye
Hatle: Absent
Holst: Absent
Leino: Aye
Middleton: Aye
Oslund: Aye
Paulson: Absent
Theis: Nay
Wolter: Abstain
Chair Knapp: Nay
MARCH 27, 2002 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
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The vote being 4 Ayes, 2 Nays and 3 abstentions, the Motion passed and the ward issue will be put
up for a vote at the next Charter Commission meeting.
Member Theis moved to place the ward issue on the agenda for the next Charter Commission
meeting prior to the actual vote. Chair Knapp said that there definitely will be discussion of the
issue. Member Theis withdrew his Motion.
By consensus, the invitation to City Clerk Sharon Knutson to discuss election issues was tabled until
a future meeting.
Chair Knapp noted that the Commission has three vacancies now.
Chair Knapp gave former Members Carlson, Sannes and Thielsen the options of getting the tangible
commendations for their services to the Commission. Sannes accepted the wall clock. Thielsen has
not replied. Carlson turned down the tangible gift, but asked that a commensurate amount of
money be donated to the Crime Prevention Program.
Chair Knapp noted that a Commission Recognition reception will be held by the City Council at
6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2002 at the West Fire Station.
Member Middleton moved to table the campaign finance issue to a future meeting and Member
Cambanes seconded. Motion passed.
Member Oslund suggested that the Commission examine the rules and procedures to see whether
the Commission is in accord with current State laws at a future meeting.
The next meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2002.
Member Wolter moved to adjourn and Member Oslund seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stan J. Leino
Secretary