HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985 03-27 CHCMBROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION
MINUTES
MARCH 27, 1 985
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Donn Escher at 8 :02 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Allen K. Anderson, Michael Beauchane, Marie Castle,
Edward Commers, Ernest Erickson, Donn H. Escher,
Mary Heitzig, Dennis Kueng, Jean Schiebel,
Barbara Sexton, and Barbara Swart
Members absent
and excused: Mona Hintzman, John Lescault, and Neil Smeaton
Also present: David Skiels, Philip Cohen, and Ronald Christinson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Edward Commers, seconded by Dennis Kueng, and passed un-
animously to approve the January 30, 1985, minutes with the note
that the Secretarial Assistant correct the January 30, 1985, vote
to move an unanimous ballot for the election of officers to show
a 9 -0 -3 vote rather than a 9 -0 -3 -0 count.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chair announced the illness of the Secretarial Assistant to ex-
plain her absence. The Commission expressed its concern and wishes
for a speedy recovery.
The Chair introduced the two new appointees to the Commission:
Marie Castle to fill the vacancy of Vincent Tubman. Said term
shall expire on February 14, 1989, at which time Ms. Castle will
be eligible to serve a second four year'term.
Allen K. Anderson to fill the vacancy of William Hannay. Said
term shall expire on February 14, 1989, at which time Mr. Anderson
will be eligible to serve a second four year term.
OLD BUSINESS
*Plaques for Former Charter Members: Ernie Erickson showed the
Commission the wooden plaques and appreciation citations that were
designed and made by Carole Blowers, Don Berg from the City Engineer-
ing department, and himself. The Commission decided that Mr. Tubman
and Mr. Hannay should be invited by the Mayor to an upcoming City
Council meeting at which time a formal award ceremony would be con-
ducted by the Mayor.
*Updated Copies of the City Charter: All members present acknowledged
receipt of the most recent version of the City Charter.
*Elections Amendment: The Chair opened a general discussion of the
Elections Amendment for the purpose of ascertaining the Commission's
wish as to what course of action the Commission wished to take.
Marie Castle asked the Chair to provide her with an overview of
the history of the amendment and the issues involved. After discuss-
ion, the Chair recognized David Skiels of the Citizens for Better
Government who spoke briefly and requested permission for Phil
Cohen to speak. Mr. Cohen read from a prepared document and spoke
to the position of the CBG regarding the elections amendment. Mr.
Cohen stated that he would provide each Commission member a copy
of his prepared statement. A period of questions and answers followed.
Following discussion, the Chair stated that the Commission could
take one of the following actions regarding the Elections Amendment:
1. Table the amendment indefinitely; or
2. Forward to the voters for a referendum; or
3. Continue study at the Commission's level; or
4. Refer to a sub committee for further study.
It was moved by Ed Commers, seconded by Ernie Erickson, that the
Chair appoint a subcommittee to study the issues and report back
next fall with a report and a recommended course of action. The
motion was passed unanimously.
The Chair appointed the following members to the Elections Amendment
Sub Committee: Dennis Kueng (Chair), Ed Commers, Jean Schiebel,
Michael. Beauchane, Barbara Swart. The sub committee is to report
back to the full Commission on Wednesday, October 23, 1985.
NEW BUSINESS
*Year 2000 Report: The Chair called on Michael Beauchane, who is
the Charter Commission's representative on the Year 2000 Task Force,
to provide an overview of the task force activity to date. Follow-
ing his report, the Chair asked Mr. Beauchane to keep the Charter
Commission in mind for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of
the findings of the task force would affect the role of the Charter
Commission.
*Kaleidoscope! The Chair informed the Commission that, following a
telephone survey of the Executive Committee by the Vice Chair, the
Chair informed the City's Administrative Assistant that the Charter
Commission would not participate in Kaleidoscope 1985•
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next Charter Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday,
October 23, 1985, at 8:00 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Jean Schiebel, seconded by Dennis Kueng, to adjourn the
meeting at 9:25 P.M. Passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donn H. Escher
Chair
Chairman: Donn Escher
Secretary: Barbara Sexton
cb
-2- 3 -27 -85