HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 10-19 CHCMBrooklyn Center Charter Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 19 2017
DRAFT
Called to order by Chairman Mark Goodell at 6:30pm.
Roll Call:
Chair Mark Goodell called the roll.
Present:
• Mawuli Blabuh
• Donald Bumgarner
• Kathryn Ellgren
• Michael Elliott
• Mark Goodell
• Charlene Johnson
• Robert Marvin (arrived at 6:36 p.m.)
• Mary O’Connor
• Beverly Rieschl
• Judy Thorbus (arrived at 6:45 p.m.)
• Mark Yelich
Absent and Excused:
• Gail Ebert
• Stanley Leino
• Abraham Rizvi
• Susan Warner
Adoption of Agenda:
A motion was made by Michael Elliott and seconded by Robert Marvin to approve the agenda.
The motion passed.
Consideration of Minutes:
The July 20, 2017, minutes were adopted with a motion by Robert Marvin and a second by
Donald Bumgarner. Motion passed.
Recognition of Commissioner Gary Brown:
Gary Brown did not attend the meeting. He is in Nevada. Chair Goodell will contact him.
Old Business:
a. Approval of 2016 Audit Report:
During 2016 the Charter Commission spent $208.04. A motion to approve this report
was made by Robert Marvin and seconded by Mark Yelich. The motion passed.
b. Review status of Firehouse Park adoption:
Charter Commission -2- 10/19/2017
Firehouse Park is not adopted by the Charter Commission. We can pick another park to
adopt. Chair Mark Goodell will put this item on April meeting agenda. Kathryn Ellgren
will head the project.
New Business:
a. Q & A on Elections with City Attorney Troy Gilchrist:
Robert Marvin asked how Brooklyn Center wrote its Election Guide.
Troy Gilchrist said the Secretary of State has written the Election Guide for about 18
years to help city clerks. The Brooklyn Center Election Guide comes from Hennepin
County. The County Auditor heads elections and answers questions from city clerks. The
Secretary of State's Election Guide is unclear and Troy Gilchrist said he could notify
them to clarify their guide. Election laws are criminal issues.
Kathryn Ellgren said we could write the Secretary of State a letter.
Donald Bumgarner asked about soliciting at elections. After Donald Bumgarner and
Robert Marvin complained about soliciting at previous elections did the city attorney
advise the city clerk that soliciting was OK?
Troy Glichrist did not know about this.
Donald Bumgarner asked how we make a complaint.
Troy Gilchrist recommends the following contacts: County Auditor, Secretary of State,
Campaign Finance Office or County Attorney.
Someone asked what we can do to prevent this.
Troy Gilchrist said we can't meddle in election laws. We can talk to City Clerk Sharon
Knutson. Otherwise, nothing.
Someone asked what procedure we go through to prevent this in the future.
Troy Gilchrist said we don't have a direct role. It's a city matter. We can make a
recommendation and move on.
Someone said there is a Secretary of State complaint form on line.
Someone said we could have a public training on elections. Someone suggested the
training could be audited.
Troy Gilchrist said we could have the training but we shouldn't put down the city clerk.
Someone said we could ask the city to have public training about elections.
Charter Commission -3- 10/19/2017
Chair Mark Goodell will draft a letter. The members of the Charter Commission should
send our ideas to Chair Mark Goodell and he will email his draft before the next meeting.
Adjournment:
We adjourned the meeting at 8:21pm.
The next meeting is January 18, 2018.
Mary O’Connor
Secretary