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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/03/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularMINUTES (Unofficial) CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 25, 1999 City Hall, Third Floor Conference Room I. Call to Order Chair Samudio called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. Introductions and Attendance It was moved by Commissioner Beck and seconded by Commissioner Velik to excuse absent members who had requested absent status. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOULSY. A. Members Present: Therese Samudio, Cynthia Ahrens, George Beck, Dorothea Moga, Richard Pogin, Alan Sargent, Jim Schaefer, Sally Velik B. Members Excused: Christopher Johnson, Michael Sixel C. Members Unexcused: Paul Carver, Philip Finkelstein, Ruth Kirschner (Note: Paul Carver called later on 3/25/1999 to indicate he was delayed by a Northwest Airlines flight, but intended to attend this meeting.) D. Staff Present: City Staff Liaison Clint Pires E. Vacancies: The Commission currently has two vacancies. III. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Commissioner Pogin, seconded by Commissioner Ahrens to approve the meeting minutes of May 26, 1998 as presented. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (with Commissioner Velik abstaining). IV. Annual Officer Elections Chair Samudio presented the following slate of candidates for Commission offices: Chair: George Beck Vice Chair: Cynthia Ahrens Secretary: Michael Sixel It was moved by Chair Samudio, seconded by Commissioner Pogin to elect the slate of candidates presented. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Commissioner Samudio then turned the Commission chair over to newly elected Chair Beck. V. Approved Charter Updates Staff Liaison Pires reported that the City Council approved amendments to Chapters 2, 6, 11, and 12 had all taken effect. It was moved by Chair Beck, seconded by Commissioner Velik that the Charter document now be reprinted with these amendments incorporated. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. VI. Recodification of City Ordinance Code Staff Liaison Pires reported that the process for recodification of the City Ordinance Code has begun. A description of the process, including reports to the City Council, was provided to Commission members. Commissioner Samudio noted that the reports show that certain proposed changes to the City Ordinance Code would require consideration and possible action by the Commission. Chair Beck stated that recodification as it relates to the Charter may be a major project for the Commission during the next 12 months. Chair Beck suggested that the commission plan its future meetings during the next several months around this project. Staff Liaison Pires stated that the Commission would be invited to participate in providing comments and suggestions as this process unfolds, including review of section drafts provided by Municipal Code Corporation, the City’s contractor for recodification. No action was required. VII. Legislative Session Update-Impact on City Charter Staff Liaison Pires reported that the City Attorney reviewed current state legislation for potential impacts on the Charter Commission, and that no related legislation was pending. Staff Liaison Pires stated that he would inform commission members of any legislation he becomes aware of that could have potential impacts on the Charter Commission. No action was required. VIII. Meeting Schedule Chair Beck asked whether the second Wednesday of the month would work as a meeting day for Commission members. Commissioner Samudio indicated that she had just recently become available to meet on second Wednesdays. Chair Beck then stated that the Commission should plan to meet on the second Wednesday of each month, but not beginning until draft sections of the City Ordinance code are available for Commission review. No action was required. IX. Other Business Commissioner Samudio requested that the Chair consider maintaining an adjournment time of 9:00 p.m. or earlier. No objections were stated. Commissioner Samudio requested that the Chair reconsider revisions to Chapter 9- Franchises. After discussion by Commission members, it was agreed that this issue had been settled at the May 26, 1998 meeting, where the Motion that the Commission approve the revised City Attorney version of the Chapter 9-Franchise language failed (3-8) . No further action was required. Commissioner Samudio stated that the 1998 Commission annual report should be prepared and submitted to Hennepin County Court. Staff Liaison Pires indicated he would draft said report and submit it to Chair Beck for review and correction prior sending it to Hennepin County Court. Commissioner Samudio suggested that in the absence of newly elected Secretary Sixel, Vice Chair Ahrens should review this meeting’s minutes. Commissioner Samudio stated that there are currently two vacancies on the Commission, and current Commission members should encourage others who may be interested to apply to Hennepin County District Court for Commission membership. Staff Liaison Pires was requested to draft an advertisement for Commission vacancies to be placed in the City’s official newspaper, and send the draft to Chair Beck for review prior to publication. There was discussion regarding letters and terms of appointment for Commission members. It was moved by Commissioner Samudio, seconded by Commissioner Moga that Hennepin County District court be requested by Staff Liaison Pires to send copies of letters of current and future appointments to the Commission as well as current member terms and dates to Staff Liaison Pires, to keep City records current. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. X. Adjournment As there was no other business, it was moved by Commissioner Schaefer, and seconded by Commissioner Velik to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Respectfully submitted, Clint Pires Staff Liaison