HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 10-23 CHCMBROOKLYN C I TET? CHASTER CCPFIMUSSIOP�
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October 23, 198
Community Center
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Donn Escher at 8:02 P.T3
ROLL CAL!
Nembers present: Donn Escher, John Lescault, n"ora Hinzman, Jean Schiebel,
Barbara Sexton, ^.eil Smeaton, Edward Commers, Mary
Heitzig, Dennis Kuen., Barbara Swart, Allen Anderson,
and Marie Castle
Members absent
and excused.: Ernest Erickson
APPROVAL CP "7INUTES
Motion by Fury Heitzig, seconded by Jean Schiebel to approve the minutes
of March 27 1985 as presented. 'gotion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Escher read Commissioner 7ichael Beauchane's letter of resigna-
tion to the Charter Commission which was dated August 2, 1985. Chief
Judge Kantorowicz was notified of his vacancy. This currently leaves
the Charter Commission with two vacancies. The Chairman asked the
Secretarial Assistant to work with Ernest Erickson in obtaining a recog-
nition plaque for 1, Beauchane.
Chairman Escher reminded Commissioner Mary Heitzig that her first four
year term expires December 1, 1980, and urged her to write to the Chief
Judge if she intends to continue on the Charter Commission for another
four years.
ELECTIONS SUB- CO!'17IT`T'EE REPORTS DISCUSSION AnrD MOTION,
The following motion was made by Dennis Kueng, seconded by r +�onz Hinzman:
"The Elections Sub Committee moves the following amendment to the
Brooklyn Center Charter Commission to be adtpted by Commission
Resolution:
1. That the City of Brooklyn Center change from odd year elections
to even year elections;
2. That City Council members' terms be chanted from three (3)
years to four (4) years;
3. That the Mayor's term be changed from two (2) years to four (4)
years;
4. That the people of Brooklyn Center vote on this issue at the
general election in ^November, 1986;
That the City Clerk be instructed to prepare the necessary wording
changes to Sections 2.03 and 4.01 of the Charter to implement
these changes; and that the Charter Commission Chairman be directed
to forward this amendment to the City Clerk on or after June 1,
1986, following public notification to the citizens of Brooklyn
Center of the Charter Commission's proposed amendment."
ELECTIONS SUB- COiUIITTE1 DEPORTS DISCUSSION ANIT) r"CTIOTT Continued
W `ennis Kueng summarized the survey desi7n and results for the Com-
mission and outlined the rationale of the sub committee for its recom-
mendations.
Considerable discussion followed on the part of all Commission members.
Discussion items included, but were not limited to the survey itself
and the results; the pros and cons of even year versus odd year elections;
the demographics of the voters participating in a local election in an
odd year election versus statewide and /or presidential elections in
even years; and, the need for increased voter participation in the local
election process.
+lotion by John Lescault; seconded by Jean Schiebel to move the question.
The motion passed on a voice vote by a majority of the Commission members.
The Chairman called for the vote on the Election Amendment. Voting in
favor of the motion: 10; Voting in opposition to the motion: 2. 'Motion
carried; amendment adopted. (NOTP: Rules of Procedure, Section IV -D
states in part... ";hen final votes on the Charter are considered, a two
thirds affirmative vote of the actual membership with never less than 8
affirmative votes shall be required for passage." Actual membership as
of October 23, 1085, is 13 members.)
NET"i! BUSINESS
Chairman Escher stated the Year 2000 Report was primarily for informa-
tional purposes to the Commission. 7 TPeauchane was on that com-
`'rnittee representing the Charter Commission.
The following; people were appointed to the '.`nominating Committee to
present names for Chairman, Vice Chairman, anal. Secretary to be voted
upon at the annual meeting in January -Jean Schiebel(Chair), Barbara
Sexton, and Edward Commers.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The Annual Meeting; date has been set for ednesday, January 22, 1086.
ADJO TIT RNT1ETIT
Motion by Mary Neitzig seconded bJT Tennis Kueng;, and passed unanimously
to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole Blowers, C.P.S.
Secretarial Assistant
Chairman: Donn Escher
Secretary: Barbara Sexton
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