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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 09-23 CHCMMINUTES OF THE BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 23, 1998 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by chair Wolter at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Walter Bursch, Nancy Carlson, James Holst, Sy Knapp, Todd Paulson, Tim Willson, and Carl Wolter. Members Eileen Oslund and Rodney Snyder arrived at 7:15 p.m. Members absent and excused: Elizabeth Hatlie, Stan Leino, Diane Swanson and Janice Theilsen. Members absent: none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Carlson to amend the minutes of the June 24, 1998 meeting to show that a meeting of this Commission is scheduled for October 28, 1998, rather than on October 15, 1998. Motion seconded by Bursch and passed, with Willson abstaining. Motion by Carlson to approve the amended minutes of the June 24, 1998 meeting. Motion seconded by Holst and passed, with Willson abstaining. CORRRESPONDENCE None OLD BUSINESS Chair Wolter noted that 2 vacancies on this Commisssion remain unfilled. Another notice of these vacancies was included in the September 23 edition of the Brooklyn Center Post, noting an October 15 closing date. Secretary Knapp presented a report regarding Service Awards, noting that previous awards have taken the form of wall plaques or desk pen sets, at a cost ranging between $20 and $40, and that it appeared that such awards have only been presented to commissioners who have served on the Commission for a year or more. He advised that ex- Commissioner Ted Willard has expressed a preference for a wall plaque. Knapp also provided a suggested form for a Certificate of Appreciation to be used in wall plaques when presented. Willson and Oslund agreed that past practice has been to present such awards only to commissioners who have served for a year or more. Motion by Bursch to approve the suggested form for the Certificate of Appreciation, with signatures by the Mayor and the Charter Commission Chair, and without a presentation date. Motion seconded by Carlson and passed. p. 1 of 3 MiN_U IES Or THE BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 23, 1998 Motion by Bursch that a framed Certificate of Appreciation plaque be presented to Ted Willard. Motion seconded by Carlson and passed. Chair Wolter asked Knapp to make arrangements for obtaining and presenting this plaque. Motion by 0slund that the Chair of the Commission send "Thank You" letters to recent members of the Commission (including Ted Willard, Byron Brekke and Philip Juaire), regardless of their length of service, as soon as possible following their leaving the Commission; and that this practice be continued as other members complete their service to the Commission. Motion seconded by Snyder and passed. Chair Wolter then opened the floor for continued discussion, from the June meeting, regarding a possible charter change relating to establishment of a "Ward System" for Council members in lieu of the current at -large system. Knapp presented a letter dated July 7, 1998 from the League of Minnesota Municipalities, along with related research materials which provided information and defined the pro's and con's of the ward system vs. the at -large system. Carlson presented a report dated August 18, 1998 which summarized the results of her survey of 11 nearby cities, showing which system is used for election of their councilmembers, the city's population, and the salaries paid to their elected officials. Wolter presented copies of the materials which the City of Brooklyn Center provides to all candidates for elected office in the City. Discussion of this issue included the following: Carlson stated that the ward system would encourage more people to run for office, that the costs for running a campaign would be lower. and that this is a representational issue. She believes the ward system assures greater accountability, noting serious problems in school districts where all members are elected at large. >Willson called attention to the 5 arguments against a ward system as detailed in the LMC report, adding that in a ward system City staff could make a ward councilmember look good or look bad by manipulating the level of services provided to the ward. He also believes the ward system tends to foster more partisan politics in the City's elective process. >Questions were raised regarding the issue of past consideration of this question by the Charter Commission, by the City Council, and/or by the electorate (i.e.- has there ever been a referendum on this issue Holst moved to continue discussion of this issue at the next meetng. Chair Wolter called for a second 3 times, then declared the motion lost for lack of a second. p.2 of 3 MIN U I ES Or THE BROOKLYN CEN 1 ER CHARTER COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 23, 1998 Carlson moved that the Charter Commission recommend that the adoption of a Ward system be placed on a referendum vote. Chair Wolter called for a second 3 times, then declared the motion lost for lack of a second. Snyder expressed concern regarding the divisivness of the discussions thus far, noting limited discussion to -date, and recalling that on previous issues the Commission has spent a good deal more time considering the issue, and attempting to reach a concensus. >-Paulson suggested that the Commission continue discussion at the next meeting, with public notice that this issue will be discussed, and that a study be conducted regarading prior consideration of this matter by the Commission, by the Council, and/or by the electorate. Chair Wolter noted the need to proceed with other matters, and terminated discussion of this issue. NEW 13US1NESS Discussion was held regarding scheduling the next meeting of this Commission. Oslund moved that the previously scheduled meeting of October 28 be cancelled, and that the Commission's next meeting be held on Wednesday, January 27,1999. Motion seconded by Holst and passed. Chair Wolter noted that the January 27 meeting will be the Commission's Annual meeting, and that the election of officers will need to be conducted at that meeting. Bursch moved to instruct the Chair to appoint a Nominating Committee who will present a slate of candidates for office at that meeting. motion seconded by Snyder and passed. Chair Wolter then appointed the following as members of the Nominating Committee: Oslund, Willson and Holst. ADJOUKNMENT Motion by Holst, second by Willson to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. itespectfuiiy su miffed, Sy K pp, Charter Commission Secretary p.3 of 3 chartercom. Sept98