HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/09/30 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - Study SessionOFFICIAL MINUTES
Charter Commission Orientation
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
September 30, 2025
5:30 p.m. – St. Louis Park City Hall
Chair Dwyer welcomed those in attendance at 5:31 p.m. Attendance was not required for this
optional orientation session, and no official business was conducted.
Members present: Terry Dwyer, Jim de Lambert, Tucker Theide, Sheila Glancy Letscher, Jim
Brimeyer, Deb Brinkman, Henry Solmer, Gary Carlson, Lynne Carper
Others present: Soren Mattick (city attorney), Amanda Scott-Lerdal (deputy city clerk)
Chair Dwyer introduced the orientation as an opportunity for new and current commissioners
to meet one another, learn about the Charter Commission’s role from the city attorney, and
learn how to participate in the first regular meeting of the Charter Commission on Oct. 27, 2025
at 5:30 p.m.
Chair Dwyer asked all in attendance to share their experiences with the Charter Commission
and/or their path to being recently appointed. Each commissioner spoke briefly about
themselves.
Mr. Mattick gave a brief overview of the mechanisms by which the Charter Commission
conducts business, including amendments to the city charter and the commission’s relationship
to the city council. He detailed the provisions of the city charter that are unique to St. Louis
Park, including the extent to which conflicts of interest are detailed. Mr. Mattick described how
the Charter Commission may make recommendations to the city council to amend the charter.
If an amendment is proposed by ordinance, statute requires unanimous approval by the
council. An amendment could also go before the public as a ballot measure. He gave examples
to illustrate how charter commissions can thus work proactively through their city council or
reactively to specific situations as needed. He noted that it is generally good practice to
periodically review the city charter for mechanical maintenance work, if not operational
changes.
Chair Dwyer reviewed the Charter Commission’s history, bylaws, parliamentary procedure in
meetings, and Minnesota Open Meeting Law. He noted that the role of the Charter Commission
is authorized under state law, and membership to the commission is appointment by the
district court rather than appointment by the city council, as is the case in other city boards and
commissions. He referred those in attendance to the Charter Commission meeting minutes of
Dec. 6, 2011, as an example of the median work that commissioners might see when
considering a charter amendment. Chair Dwyer also noted how meetings are conducted,
including how parliamentary procedure assists with tracking the process of motions and votes.
Vice Chair de Lambert added that using parliamentary procedure in meetings assures that all
commissioners present have the fair and equal opportunity to speak and vote their conscience
during meetings.
The orientation concluded at 6:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by: Amanda Scott-Lerdal, deputy city clerk