HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984 03-28 CHCMBROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 28, 1984
CALL TO ORDER
The Charter Commission was called to order by Chairman Donn Escher
at 8 :02 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Michael Beauchane, Ernest Erickson, Donn Escher,
John Lescault, Jean Schiebel, Barbara Sexton, Vincent Tubman,
Dennis Kueng, Mona Hintzman*
Members absent and excused: Mary Heitzig
Members absent and unexcused: William Hannay, Neil Smeaton
Also present: Gerald G. Splinter (City Manager), Tom Bublitz,
Administrative Assistant; Alvin Roth (potential Charter Commission
member)
*Chairman Escher introduced Mona Hintzman to the Charter
Commission and stated her term will be from February 15,
1984 to February 13, 1988. As of this meeting, the
Charter Commission has twelve members.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Dennis Kueng, seconded by Jean Schiebel to approve the
January 25, 1984, Annual Meeting Minutes as typed. Passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS Charter Amendments
Chairman Escher briefly informed the commission as to the status
of the charter amendments. The ordinance concerning the amendments
was published in the Brooklyn Center Post on March 8, 1984. Last
Monday, a public hearing was held on the ordinance and a second
reading was passed.
NEW BUSINESS Elections
Mr. Splinter discussed with the commissioners the material which
was previously mailed to them, as well as some handouts that were
presented at tonight's meeting. It was agreed that the commissioners
would like further research on this topic. Specifically, the com-
missioners would like the following information regarding surround-
ing communities:
Does the city call for elections every year or every other year?
If every other year, is there some carryover?
With cities who have changed from every year to every other
year, what type of conversion method was used?
How do the terms of mayor and council members in surrounding
communities compare or differ?
Do surrounding communities deal with wards or not?
How does the community's population compare to the number of
council members they have?
It was further decided that the mayor and individual council members
should be contacted either by phone or in person to find out what
their opinion is to every other year elections. The following com-
missioners volunteered to contact the mayor or council members:
NEW BUSINESS Elections continued
Michael Beauchane will contact Mayor Nyquist
Dennis Kueng will contact Bill Hawes
Ernest Erickson will contact Rich Theis
Vince Tubman will contact Gene Lhotka
Jean Schiebel will contact Celia Scott
The commissioners will report to the Charter Commission their
comments at the April meeting.
It was also decided that the city staff should ask the City Attorney
what his opinion is on the state statutes regarding elections.
If after the city staff's research and comments from the mayor and
council members are considered, and the Charter Commission decides
to change our election procedures, Chairman Escher stated he felt
that an article should be prepared for the next City Newsletter.
In this article, it could state that the Charter Commission is
considering a change in elections and ask them for their opinions.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next Charter Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday,
April 25, 1984, at 8:00 P.M.
ADJOURNIv ENT
Motion by Vince Tubman, seconded by Dennis Kueng, to adjourn the
meeting at 9:25 P.M.
u
Chairman: Donn Escher
Secretary: Barbara Sexton
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Respectfully submitted,
C L role Blowers, C.P.S.
Secretarial Assistant
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