HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-16 CHCMCharter Commission -1- 07/16/2014
Brooklyn Center Charter Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2014
Called to order by Vice-Chairman Gary Brown at 6:32 p.m.
Roll Call: Secretary Mary O'Connor called the roll. Present were Jody Brandvold, Mark
Goodell, Zachary Marko, Gary Brown, Gail Ebert, Myrna Kragness Kauth, Judy Thorbus,
Robert Marvin, and Mary O'Connor. Zachary Marko arrived at 6:34. Absent and excused were
Stan Leino, Harold Middleton, and Mark Yelich.
Approval of minutes: The January 16, 2014, minutes were approved after correcting the date.
The date at the top was changed from January 17 to January 16.
Selection of Secretary: Marvin nominated O'Connor for Secretary. Goodell seconded the
nomination. Motion passed unanimously.
Cancellation of April meeting: Kragness Kauth asked why Leino canceled the April meeting
and if he had that right. Brown said that he understood that Leino thought there was no new
information to discuss but he may not have the right to cancel the meeting.
Old Business:
a. City Council Action/Inaction on Charter Recommendations.
City Manager Curt Boganey made a presentation.
He got many emails from the Charter Commission. He says we need better
communication. In January 2013 he talked to Chair Leino. Leino wanted a joint meeting
with the City Council. Leino wanted answers to our requests before the meeting.
Goodell asked if anything was presented to the City Council.
Boganey said no.
Brown asked Boganey in what form he wants our requests, since in the past that is how
we have communicated with the city staff.
Boganey wants a joint meeting. He doesn't send Charter minutes to the City Council. He
doesn't know if they are approved minutes.
Kragness Kauth read Boganey's written responses to our requests.
Goodell thinks our minutes are not clear.
Brown said our past practice has been to underline and line-out changes to the Charter
when we send them to the Council.
Charter Commission -2- 07/16/2014
O'Connor said we should be more clear in the minutes.
Boganey said we should let him know when our minutes contain a Charter change.
Brown said we should send minutes sooner to Commission for approval.
O'Connor asked if a quorum can be announced at the start of each meeting.
Brown said we have a quorum. We have 9 members. 8 members is the least amount for a
quorum.
O'Connor made a motion and Brandvold made a second that we approve a Charter
change suggested by City Council. In Section 6.02, (Powers and Duties of the City
Manager) delete Subdivision 3.c. Motion passed unanimously.
It was decided to have Brown and Leino send a letter to the City Manager Boganey outlining
what we desire to have presented to the City Council.
Brown will talk to Leino and they will review past minutes for charter changes. They will send
these to members before next meeting where they can be discussed.
Brandvold excused herself and left the meeting at 8 p.m. She didn't feel well.
New Business:
Brooklyn Center resident Don Bumgarner made a presentation. He saw political signs for Tim
Willson and Dan Ryan in yards along Dupont Avenue North at the time of the parade.
Minnesota Statute 211B.045 and Brooklyn Center Ordinance 34-140.2F say signs can't be posted
more than 46 days before the Primary. He couldn't present this to the City Council because they
don't allow campaign talk at their meetings. He asked if the Charter Commission could do
anything.
Brown said the Charter Commission can't help. Bumgarner could make an official complaint.
Kragness Kauth asked about the new business item "Typography of City Charter". Leino was
not present to explain the meaning.
Brown indicated that it was a descriptive phrase that described the minor changes to the charter
that the Charter Commission was recommending.
Meeting was adjourned about 8:15 p.m.
Submitted by Mary O'Connor
Secretary