HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 10-17 CHCACHARTER COMMISSION
OCTOBER 17, 2013
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
City Hall Council/Commission Conference Room
AGENDA
1.Call to Order: 6:30 p.m.
2.Roll Call
3.Consideration of Minutes of the July 18, 2013 Meeting
4.Old Business.
a.City Council action on Charter recommendations
b.Staff and Council responses to Commission inquiries
5.New Business.
a. Any other new business?
6.Adjournment
Brooklyn Center Charter Commission
Meeting Minutes [DRAFT]
July 18, 2013
1.Call to Order
Called to order by Chairman Stan Leino at 6:31 PM
2.Roll Call
Roll Call: Secretary Mary O'Connor called the roll. Present were Stan Leino, Jody Brandvold,
Mark Goodell, Zachary Marko, Harold Middleton, Renita Whicker, Mark Yelich, and Mary
O'Connor. Gary Brown arrived at 6:35 PM. Eileen Oslund arrived at 7:00 PM. Ellen Davis is no
longer a commissioner; she moved out of Brooklyn Center. Excused were Gail Ebert and Myrna
Kragness Kauth. Not present were Judy Thorbus and Robert Marvin.
3.Introduction of New Commissioner
New commissioner Zachary Marko was introduced.
4.Approval of Minutes
Approval of minutes: The April 11, 2013, minutes were approved. The motion was made by
Brandvold and seconded by Whicker.
5. Old Business:
a.City staff replies to Charter inquiries Chapters 10 through 12
City staff have not replied to Charter Commission inquiries regarding chapters 10 to 12.
Brandvold made a motion and Yelich seconded it to delay this item. Motion passed
unanimously.
b.Electronic-only communications option
Chair Leino has not heard back from city staff about the electronic-only communications
option. This agenda item was delayed.
6. New Business:
a. Charter recommendations to City Council
Charter Commission changes to Charter after receiving City Council suggestions for
changes to Charter.
Chapter 2.05a Council Vacancies
After discussion and a friendly amendment by Brown, Yelich made a motion and
O'Connor seconded it to change wording to "The special election shall be held not sooner
than sixty (60) days and not later than two hundred (200) days following the occurrence
of the vacancy. "The motion also added the following sentence: "Except as provided in
this Section and Section 4.03 of the City Charter, all of the provisions of the Minnesota
election law are applicable to the election as far as practicable." The motion passed with
Oslund abstaining.
O'Connor made a motion and Brown seconded it to delete the final sentence of Chapter
2.05a. It reads "If more than two candidates file for the unexpired term, a primary
election shall be held." The motion passed with Goodell abstaining.
Chapter 2.05b.5 Council Vacancies
Brown made a motion and Brandvold seconded it to change "will" to "shall" and to
change "one hundred thirty-five (135)" to "two hundred (200)" and to add the sentence
"Except as provided in this Section and Section 4.03 of the City Charter, all of the
provisions of the Minnesota election law are applicable to the election as far as
practicable." The motion also deletes the following sentence: "If more than two
candidates file for the unexpired term, a primary election shall be held." The motion
passed unanimously.
Chapter 2.05b. 1 Council Vacancies
O'Connor questioned whether the city has "uniform applications". Leino reported that the
city does not. He will talk to the City Clerk.
Chapter 2.08 Investigation of City Affairs
O'Connor asked if the City Attorney had looked at the language. Chair Leino will ask.
Chapter 3.11 Publication of Ordinances
O'Connor asked about putting the Ordinance Code in an electronic form. Since it's on the
City Website it is not necessary.
Chapter 4.06 Canvass of Election
Yelich made a motion and O'Connor seconded it to delete "within five (5) days" and
insert "between the third (3rd) and the tenth (10th) day". The motion passed
unanimously.
Chapter 3.03 Rules of Procedure and Quorum
There was a discussion about a minority of the City Council compelling the attendance of
absent members. Chair Leino reported that the City Council said they have not used this
provision.
Chapter 2.06 The Mayor
Pertaining to the last sentence, the City Council has adopted an Emergency Operations
Plan developed by the North Suburban Emergency Management Planning Region which
puts direction in the hands of the City Manager.
Chapter 5.06 Action of Council on Petition
After discussion of city staffs suggestions, Brown asked for a copy of State Statute.
Chair Leino will get. No action was taken.
Chapter 6.02 Powers and Duties of City Manager
No action was taken on city staffs suggestions. More research is needed.
Chapter 9.04 Eminent Domain
Charter Commission -2-
Brown made a motion and Middleton seconded it to accept city staffs suggestion to
delete "s so long as the dismissal is filed with the proper court prior to the expiration of
the time for an appeal or before entry of judgment if an appeal has been taken". Motion
passed with O'Connor voting no.
Chapter 5.01 Initiative and Referendum
O'Connor questioned the clarity of the provision. She also asked why "when passed by
the Council" is stated. Other commissioners agreed. Chair Leino will ask. This needs
some research.
b. Other New Business:
None.
Brandvold left at 8:42 PM.
Next meeting is October 17, 2013.
7. Adjournment:
Yelich made a motion and Middleton seconded it to adjourn at 9:07 PM. Motion passed.
Submitted by Mary O'Connor
Secretary
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