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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 09-25 CHCMBROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COXXISSION SEPTEMBER 25, 1991 MEETING MINUTES 7 P.X. CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Edward Commers at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Members present: Allen Anderson, Ulyssess Boyd, Ron Christensen, Edward Commers, Donald Gilbert, David Hildebrandt, Mona Hintzman, Myrna Kragness, Tony Kuefler, Everett Lindh, Eileen Oslund, Dennis Snook, Susan Warner, Ted Willard, Beverly Wolfe Members absent: Hone Also Present: Mayor Todd Paulson NOTE: All vacancies are filled; we have fifteen total members. APPROVAL OF XINUTES Motion by Mona Hintzman, seconded by Allen Anderson to approve the minutes of March 27, 1991, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE Chairperson Commers stated that letters were sent to the Brooklyn Center Post and Northwest Hews regarding tonight's meeting. Welcome letters have been sent to all new members (Commissioners Gilbert, Kragness, and Oslund). NOTE: During the meeting, each commission member introduced himself for the courtesy of the new members gust mentioned. Chairperson Commers stated he sent a letter to Mayor Todd Paulson inviting him to tonight's meeting. New membership roster lists have been mailed to all members, and chairperson Commers asked if there were any corrections or additions. Commissioner Anderson asked the Administrative Assistant to check the dates of his term. A Business Ethics Policy sent out from the City Manager's office has been mailed in July to all members. Chairperson Commers stated that all members should in particular read the section on Conflicts of Interest, Prohibited Conduct on page 2. It was stated by Chair Commers that we accept this ethics policy. All commission members should also have received in the mail new pages to the charter that were affected by the ordinance regarding Section 3.01, Council Meetings of the charter. Chairperson Commers also stated that he and some other members of this commission recently attended a citizen participation meeting. A Communication Commission has been formed for better flow of information between the people of the community and city staff /elected officials. One concern expressed at this meeting was that the water /sewer department should inform people ahead of time when they are planning to do work in a certain area of town. OLD BUSINESS ect ion 2,05, COUNCIL VACANCIES: Allen Anderson, chair of the sub committee, stated that the sub committee met on May 5. Minutes of that meeting were previously distributed. These minutes included an action plan of twelve steps. During the last week of August, members of this sub committee and Chair Commers met with City Council members and the Mayor to discuss this issue. This coincides with step 4 of the action plan. Since then, the sub committee met again on September 14, 1991, to discuss the findings of those discussions (see sub committee minutes of 9- 14 -91). Tony Kuefler briefly reiterated the summaries of those discussions. He also stated that out of those discussions with the council, the idea of putting together a Preamble for the Charter was raised as well as the idea of mail -in ballots for an election. Motion by Tony Kuefler, seconded by Al Anderson to change the intent of the proposed change to read: A person appointed to fill a vacant Council position cannot serve for more than one year. If the remaining term of the vacant position exceeds one year, 12lus the minimum time required to accomod,ate the resignation,_ announce the filings, and allow for the P11wry and general elections process, then the vacancy must be filled by a special election. If more than two people file for a vacant council position in a special election, a primary shall be required. NOTE: Underlined material represents new wording to be put into the intent. All members present were in favor of these changes for Section 2.05. Next, the sub committee moves to Step 8 of the action plan, presenting proposal and plan to the council. Chairperson Commers will take care of this step. At this point, Commissioner Wolfe brought up that she went through the appointment process the last time there was a council vacancy. She feels there is a need for improvement in this appointment process and wishes to discuss this item in more depth. This item is further discussed under new business. Introduction of and Discussion byMayor Todd Paulson At this time, Chairperson Commers introduced Mayor Todd Paulson to the Charter Commission members. Most importantly, Mayor Paulson expressed his appreciation to the members of this commission for their time and efforts. He also stated that if members had IS questions or concerns, they should contact him. He does hold regular hours at City Hall. -2 of 3 Pages- 9/25/91 REVISED Mayor Paulson expressed his wish to have people in the community become more involved with their city and the many decisions that must be made pertaining to it, both short and long term. He passed out a booklet entitled Citizens and Politics, A View from Main Street America which he thought would be of interest to commission members. This booklet was prepared for the Kettering Foundation by The Harwood Group. NEV BUSIHBSS The Iasue of a Preamble to the Charter Chairperson Commers asked if there are any volunteers for a sub committee on looking at and preparing some wording for a preamble to the charter for the entire commission to look at by our November meeting. Beverly Wolfe (Chair), Tony Kuefler, Everett Lindh, and Aileen Oslund will serve on this subcommittee. The Administrative Assistant will look through the metro charters we have on file at City Hall to see if there are any models from other cities the sub committee could possibly use. If there are any, she will forward this information to the sub committee before they meet. It was also suggested that perhaps we should think about the possibility of a mission statement for the Charter Commission. The Issue of Mail -in Ballo tor Elections:, It was decided that the charter commission will discuss this item later on. The Issue of the Appointment Procgss in Filling Vacancies: Commissioner Wolfe again stated that she feels the Charter Commission needs to look at and discuss some guidelines the council should follow in filling vacancies covering such items as the notice of the interviewing process, uniform questioning of candidates, and what exactly is the voting process going to consist of. Chairperson Commers asked Commissioner Wolfe to put down some thoughts /concerns/ suggestions on this topic for our next meeting. He also asked if Commissioner Boyd would also do the same, as he also was a candidate who went through the last appointment process. NEXT MEETING DATE It was the consensus of the members present to set our next meeting date for Wednesday, October 23, 1991, at 9 p.m. ADJOURHMEHT Motion by Myrna Kragness, seconded by Everett Lindh to adjourn the meeting at 8110 P. M. R ectfull submitte arole J. ers, C.P.S. Administrative Assistant Chair: Edward Commers Secretary: Beverly Wolfe -3 of 3 Pages- 9/25/91