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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 09-15 CHCMChairman Dorff responded that the council could be expanded without wards. Commissioner Theisen stated that the question posed to the Charter Commis- sion is should we advance this proposal to the voters whether they want a ward or at large system. He does not see enough merit to placing this question on the ballot. He wants to see names on a petition. He opposes forwarding the ward system to the council. Commissioner Swart favors putting to the voters the question of the number of nouncilmen. Seven members on the'council would have more diversity and ideas and the people would be better represented by more councilmen. The ward system works well in Crystal. What's wrong with the at large system in Brooklyn Center. She herself couldn't campaign. She would have to give up 3 months of her time to campaign for office. Less time is needed to campaign if we had the ward system. If the candidate doesn't get to the people with his message, he can't win. Commissioner Hendrickx stated there was merit in covering the whole area. Knowledge of the whole area is needed. Commissioner Higgins hasn't heard people outside of organizations making comments. The poll taken by a local candidate for council is not valid. Most people do not want a change. Minutes of the Proceedings of the is BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION Wednesday, September 15, 1976 Call to order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Henry Dorff at 7:40 p.m. Present: Commissioners Henry Dorff, Rich Higgins, Robert DeVries, James Gillen, Mildred Hendrickx, Orlander Nelson, Cheryl AsDlund, Barbara Swart, Mona Hintzman, and Edwin Theisen were present. Absent: Commissioners Betty Johnson, Frank Kampmeyer, Glen Bullick (unable to atten- Viola Kanatz (ill), and !falter Vennewitz (out of town) were absent. Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Higgins that the minutes of August 26 be approved. Motion carried. Correction to the Sep- tember 2 minutes was made that Barbara Swart was absent because she was ill. Motion by Commissioner Gillen, seconded by Commissioner Hintzman that the minutes of September 2 be approved as corrected. "lotion carried. Ward Study: Commissioner Hendrickx stated that Brooklyn Center should not be furthe° divided, that the ward system would provide further divisiveness. There would be confusion on the part of people as to where they belong, There is no compelling reason to change. Commissioner Nelson believes that Brooklyn Center should have a ward syster plus two sectional districts and a mayor. Brooklyn Center is large enough to have more than five make decisions. He would like to see more represen- tation from different areas. Chairman Dorff responded that the council could be expanded without wards. Commissioner Theisen stated that the question posed to the Charter Commis- sion is should we advance this proposal to the voters whether they want a ward or at large system. He does not see enough merit to placing this question on the ballot. He wants to see names on a petition. He opposes forwarding the ward system to the council. Commissioner Swart favors putting to the voters the question of the number of nouncilmen. Seven members on the'council would have more diversity and ideas and the people would be better represented by more councilmen. The ward system works well in Crystal. What's wrong with the at large system in Brooklyn Center. She herself couldn't campaign. She would have to give up 3 months of her time to campaign for office. Less time is needed to campaign if we had the ward system. If the candidate doesn't get to the people with his message, he can't win. Commissioner Hendrickx stated there was merit in covering the whole area. Knowledge of the whole area is needed. Commissioner Higgins hasn't heard people outside of organizations making comments. The poll taken by a local candidate for council is not valid. Most people do not want a change. page 2 Charter Commission, 9/15/76 Commissioner Hintzman said Brooklyn Center needs more councilmen. The ward system would give wider diversity of background. Brooklyn Center has an educator and three businessmen on the council. People on physically active jobs can't campaign. This is a form of discrimination against people with physically active occupations. They have the opportunity to run for office, but not the physical capabilities. Brooklyn Center needs wider diversity on the council. Crystal has a diversity of occupations on the council. The ward system should be placed on the ballot in November. There is no way to reach people except to door knock. Commissioner DeVries stated that based on other communities, he doesn't lik the cliquishness of the at large system. He would like a combination of the two. Maybe it is important to enlarge the council. Fridley has split groups where it is easier to get a guy out of office in a ward. A campaign cost of $1500 is a lot of money unless a candidate has outside help. He can't support the ward system, but is willing to put it to a vote of the People. Tie supports part at large and part ward system. Commissioner Hintzman stated she had no objection to the combination. Commissioner Asplund stated that her father is a farmer who works 10 hours a day and then campaigns for office. It boils down to desire for office. If we make it easier for the candidate, will it Provide us with better representation? The cost of campaigns depend on the contest. 40 Commissioner Gillen stated that cost of campaigns in St. Louise Park ran from $1,000 to $2,000. When the mayor left, candidates for mayor spent over $5,000. The at large positions had the most challengers. Commissioner Theisen added that in no case has there been a shortage of candidates for the at large system. Commissioner Dorff stated that the preponderance of thinking at the public hearings supported the at lame system, political leaders and former councilmen. Commissioner Hintzman replied that when you talk to officials they support the system, when you talk to citizens you find they differ with the system they have. Commissioner Swart added that there is the possibility of the incumbent losing ground if the system is changed. Commissioner Dorff stated that unlessthere is a real reason for the ward system, there is no need to change the system in Brooklyn Center. At the public hearings 18 favored the at large system while 6 favored change. Are there people not being represented or misrepresented? Commissioner Nelson stated that maybe ward system should be put on the ballot and see what the people want. 0 page 3 Charter Commission, 9 /15/76 Commissioner Theisen stated that it takes a unique person to run for political office. It takes an aggressive person. Commissioner Gillen stated that each community contacted seemed to be happy with what they had. Tle should have a reason to change. Even if we have the ward system, a person has to contact 2500 homes. A councilman has to have a crocodile skin. It is easy to lose your cool. People get violent and swear and an official has to be able to take it to serve. A campaign costs too much for any one whether at large or ward, the candi- date has to have help. Costs vary depending on the number running. He favors changing the number on the council. The more councilmen you have the more you can split up various duties. It is wise to consider changing; the terms of office. Local elections can be held in the odd years. The commissioner doesn't see any reason for changing to wards. Motion by Commissioner Theisen, seconded by Commissioner Higgins that the Brooklyn Center Charter Commission go on record in favor of continuing the present at large system. Commissioners Gillen, Dorff, Asplund, Hendrickx, Theisen, Higgins and DeVrieS voted in favor of the motion, Commissioners Swart, Hintzman, and Nelson opposed the motion. Motion carried. Vacancies: Terms of two commissioners, Henry Dorff and Walter Vennewitz expire on October 24. Glen Bullick is resigning as he is going back to school and is moving out of the community. There will be three vacancies on the commis sion. Next meeting: Next meeting of the Charter Commission will be TJednesday, October 20. Study groups will report progress on study of charter. Study Group I Chapter 2 H. Dorff Study Group II Chapter 6 V. Kanatz Study Group III Chapter 10 E. Theisen Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Gillen that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. Chairman: Henry Dorff Secretary: Barbara Swart Respectfully submitted: Barbara Sexton Secretarial Assistant 0