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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990 06-27 CHCMBROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION JUNE 27, 1990 MEETING MINUTES 7 P.M. CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Barbara Sexton at 7:03 P.M. ROLL CALL Members present: Al Anderson, David Ault, Benjamin Chatelle, Ron Christenson, Edward Commers, David Hildebrandt, Mona Hintzman, Everett Lindh, Barbara Sexton, Dennis Snook, Ted Willard, Beverly Wolfe Members absent and excused: Ulyssess Boyd, Tony Kuefler, Susan Warner ANNOUNCEMENT AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS At this time, Chairperson Sexton announced to the Charter Commission that we have three new members: David Hildebrandt, Ted Willard, and Susan Warner. Mr. Hildebrandt and Mr. Willard introduced themselves; Susan Warner was unable to attend this meeting. REVIEW OF NEW MEMBERSHIP ROSTER At this time, members were asked to look over their new membership rosters for any changes or corrections. Members will.be provided with a revised listing. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Edward Commers, seconded by Allen Anderson to approve the meeting minutes of May 30, 1990, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Chairperson Sexton stated that letters were received from Chief .Judge Levy regarding the appointments of Mr. Hildebrandt, Mr. Willard, and Ms. Warner. A letter was also written to the Editor of the Brooklyn Center Post regarding tonight's meeting. OLD BUSINESS *Zgnosed CbUges nn the Sectigli Regarcii na Vac�tDci es nn the Cnu The commission entered into a summary as to why it is considering these changes to the charter so that new members could have a better understanding of this discussion. Then the chairperson lead the commission into a discussion of the points brought up by the City Attorney at our last meeting as summarized in the May 30, 1990, minutes. The Administrative Assistant provided information on filing for a council vacancy as requested as the last meeting. Filing dates are from July 3 to July 17. The primary election is held on September 11. Regular elections are on November 6. This information was needed to figure out the number of days needed from filing time until elections so the proposed wording provided enough time. 0 Commissioner Commers stated he felt that if the vacancy was under 365 days, the council should appoint; if over 365 days, a special election should be held unless a general election comes up in that same time frame. Commissioner Kuefler was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but members were supplied with a copy of his letter that contained a suggestion for wording of this section of the charter. This suggestion was discussed at some length. With Commissioner Kuefler's suggestion, we must have a primary to conform to the present wording of Section 4.03. Commissioner Christenson questioned what would happen if there was more than three candidates for one vacancy? Commissioner Willard stated he felt from what he understood there is actually two issues for the commission to resolve: 1) will a special election be required or not? 2) if a special election is held, should it involve a primary? He also stated that we must remain consistent with this: either always have a primary or not. Commissioner Snook stated maybe we should just state that special elections require NO primary. At this point, the commissioners felt that a reading from the City Attorney on whether primary elections are mandatory (required by state law) would be needed. The Administrative Assistant was instructed to ask this question of the City Attorney, as well as ask him if he has been able to come up with defining the word "malfeasance Chairperson Sexton asked the commissioners what was their response to when a person is elected in a special election, WHEN do they take over? The consensus of the group was immediately. She also asked the commissioners about the proposed addition of wording as far as appointing a member from a list of former members of the council or former mayors, if available. This wording as well as the sentence "Council members can't appoint a council member to fill the unexpired term of the office of Mayor" should be dropped as both are too restrictive. The Administrative Assistant was asked to type up Section 2.05 with Commissioner Kuefler's suggestion and omit the items referred to above. When the requested information is received from the City Attorney, this amendment can be referred back to the sub- committee for further modifications. The commission also felt that the sub committee's modified wording should then be passed on to Charlie Lefevere, and he should be invited to come back to the full commission for his further comments /concerns. K.Rw BUSINESS *Status of ChaDze Needed in C harter Rega Bud gets Back in .January, City Manager Mr. Splinter reported to the Charter Commission that the charter sections regarding budgets will need to be revised in accordance with a legislative change. Mr. Splinter plans to have some suggested wording to reflect these changes in the hands of commissioners in a month. NEXT MEETING DATE It was the consensus of the members present that the next meeting of the full commission will be on Wednesday, September 26, 1990, at 7 p.m. 0 2 of 3 Pages (6- 27 -90) ADJOURMNT The meeting was adjourned at 8.10 P.M. Respectfully submitted,,,--) Carole J Blow S, C.P.S. Administrative Assistant Chair: Barbara Sexton Secretary: Beverly Wolfe 0 3 of 3 Pages (6-27-90)