HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 05-10 CHCMMINUTES OF May 10, 2012
BROOKLYN CENTER
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
Called to order by Chairman Stan Leino at 6:40PM.
Roll Call:Secretary Gary Brown called roll; Gary Brown, Stan Leino, Gail Ebert, Robert Marvin, Ed
Nelson, Mary O’Connor, Eileen Oslund, Eric Pone, and Mark Yelichwere present.
Excused Absence: Harold Middleton
Absent:Ellen Davis, Nathan Lackner, Renita Whicker,and Bee Yang
Consideration of Minutes
Motion by Marvin,seconded byEbertto approve minutes of January 19,2012
and February 4, 2012(combining the two commission meetings), unanimously approved 9-0.Motion by
Marvin and seconded by Pone to approve April 12, 2012,minutes as submitted,approved 9-0.
unanimously
Old Business:
Attendance of Commissioner Lackner.Secretary Brown reported that he had sent a letter to Commissioner
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Nathan Lackner on April 16regarding missing three consecutive meetings, but he did not receive a
response by mail or by phone. Motion byYelich, seconded by Pone to direct secretaryBrown to contact
District Judge regarding absences of Commissioner Nathan Lackner, recommending that Commissioner
Lackner be removed from the Commission due tolack of attendance,approved 9-0.
unanimously
Proposed changes to Charter regarding Eminent Domain.After discussion by several commissioners, a
motion by Marvin seconded by Yelich to ask City attorney prepare language to place on the ballot(if city
council rejects proposed changes. Chairman Leino opened the floor to discussion and after all
commissioners had an opportunity to speak a motion to call the question by Brown, seconded by Marvin,
passed unanimously 9-0. The original motion was then voted on and approved 9-0.
unanimously
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Presentation by Michael Parks, 3218 64Ave. N., Brooklyn Center.Mr. Parks spoke about the diverse
community but lack of diversity on the City Council. He indicated that he felt that as a result of the entire
City Council and Mayor being elected at-large that it was difficult to know who to talk about a problem.
He stated that it required talking to all council members. He felt that the citizens needed better access to
the council. He pointed out that council members seem to reside in the same area of the city. He expressed
concern of the legality of at-large representation versus ward representation. He also spoke of the difficulty
to run for council since you have to canvass the entire city not just one portion that you would represent.
He felt it was expensive to run city wide and that people get discouraged. He felt an amendment to the
charter calling for wardrepresentation would make Brooklyn Center a better place to live.
New Business
:
Council decision on Chapter 9No action was taken after discussion.
Subcommittee on RepresentationThe subcommittee consisting of Yelich,Pone,
At-large vs. WardEbert, and
Marvin, gave their report with recommendations to divide the city into 4 wards, maintaining the same number of
council members, and with the Mayor still being elected at-large. They further presented language that included
having the council members having more influence on the appointments to various boards and commissions. Motion
by Nelson, seconded by Yelich to accept the report, approvedunanimously 9-0.The commission then worked on
minor language changes to the proposed amendment to the Charter Section2;Section 202 Boards and Commissions,
2.03a Elective Officers, 203b Wards, 203c Redistricting Procedures, and Section 203d Annual Meetings(see
attached).
Future Meeting Dates:
The next meeting will held on June 13 at 6:30 PM, with the Chairman given
discretion to reschedule due to timing of possible charter question on the ballot.
Adjournment:
Motion by Brown, seconded by Yelichto adjourn at 8:55,approved 9-0.
unanimously
Submitted for consideration,
Gary E. Brown, Secretary