HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/11/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
November 12, 2003
Westwood Room, City Hall
I. Call to Order
Chair Carver called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Introductions and Attendance
It was moved by Commissioner Sixel, seconded by Commissioner Hoeft, to excuse the absence of
the following members: Janice Loftus and Michelle Olmstead. The motion passed 9-0.
A. Members Present: Paul Carver, Carol Walsh, Marilyn Hoeft, Nathan Busch, Lynne Carper,
Cheryl Ernst, Steve Fillbrandt, Linda Jennings, and Michael Sixel.
David Ornstein arrived at 7:05 p.m., Brian Fiderlein arrived at 7:10 p.m., and James Schaefer
arrived at 7:17 p.m.
B. Members Excused: Janice Loftus and Michelle Olmstead.
C. Members Unexcused: David Johnson.
D. Staff Present: City Clerk Cindy Reichert; St. Louis Park League of Women Voters Celia
Andersen; and Recording Secretary Linda Samson.
E. Vacancies: None.
II. Approval of Minutes of September 10, 2003
Commissioner Busch reported that on page 3, paragraph 3, line 1, chiar should be chair.
Commissioner Jennings reported that on page 4, paragraph 11, line 2, iinformed should be
informed.
It was moved by Commissioner Ernst, seconded by Commissioner Carper, to approve the
minutes of September 10, 2003 as amended. (Commissioners Hoeft and Ornstein abstained).
The motion passed 7-0-2.
III. 2004 Charter Celebration
Task Force Update
Commissioner Jennings said the task force is working on a budget and banners. She reported
that banners cost $75-95 each. Commissioner Jennings said the Historical Society will
participate on the Marketing Committee. Kiosks are anticipated to be located at Excelsior &
Grand and at Knollwood Mall. After additional budget discussion, the task force subgroups will
meet.
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Commissioner Carper said people are needed to help with planning and making contacts.
Commissioner Carper contacted Bill Gleason and received feedback.
IV. Charter Document Review—Chapters 4, 5, and 6
Ms. Reichert distributed newly printed copies of the Home Rule Charter to the Commissioners
(printed November 2003). Ms. Reichert reported that Chapter 12 was unintentionally deleted
from the 1999 publication. Some Commissioners asked questions about candidate filing. Ms.
Reichert said there is no need for a new ordinance. Ms. Reichert asked how the Commission
would like to proceed in regard to the Staff Note on page 33, which states: Intent of the Charter
Commission was to strike the following sections upon adoption of Ordinance #2114-98.
However, the ordinance as adopted by the council was incorrectly formatted and did not indicate
deletion of these sections. A recommendation to formally strike sections (3) and (4) should be
considered by the Charter Commission at the earliest opportunity.
Ms. Reichert provided a memo to the Commission, which states her suggestions for chapters 4,
5, and 6 of the Home Rule Charter. Ms. Reichert briefly discussed instant runoff voting (IRV).
She reported that Fair Vote Minnesota would like to visit with the Charter Commission. Ms.
Reichert also distributed a summary of the Charter review and recommendations regarding
Chapters 1, 2, and 3.
Commissioner Hoeft inquired if the Secretary of State may have a speaker available to present
information regarding instant runoff voting. Ms. Reichert said she will make contacts in regard
to instant runoff voting.
Commissioner Fillbrandt asked about primaries, and Ms. Reichert said it did not pass the
legislature.
Chair Carver requested that a discussion regarding instant runoff voting also include discussion
on Section 4.03, Primary Elections. The Charter Commission would also like to discuss the At-
Large A and B offices.
The Commissioners discussed Ms. Reichert’s memo, which produced the following motions.
Ms. Reichert suggested that in Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.02, Regular
Municipal Election: delete fifteen (15) days and replace with two (2) weeks.
It was moved by Commissioner Finderlein, seconded by Commissioner Sixel, to delete fifteen
(15) days and replace with two (2) weeks.
The motion passed 12-0.
Ms. Reichert suggested that in Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.03, Primary
Elections: delete fifteen (15) days and replace with two (2) weeks.
It was moved by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to delete fifteen (15)
days and replace with two (2) weeks.
The motion passed 12-0.
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Commissioner Busch would like to see the statutory requirements regarding Section 4.03,
Primary Elections.
Commissioner Carper asked about candidates’ filing fees. The Commissioners exchanged their
opinions regarding appropriate fee amounts.
Ms. Reichert suggested that in Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.06, Nomination
by Petition: delete twelve (12) and replace with ten (10); and delete eighty-four (84) and replace
with seventy (70).
It was moved by Commissioner Carper, seconded by Commissioner Hoeft, to delete twelve (12)
and replace with ten (10); and delete eighty-four (84) and replace with seventy (70).
The motion passed 12-0.
Ms. Reichert said Director of Finance Jean McGann will attend a Charter Commission meeting
in early 2004 to discuss Chapters 5 and 6.
Commissioner Sixel requested the Charter Commission minutes regarding the last revision of the
Charter be retrieved and distributed to the Commission, i.e., from about five years ago.
Commissioner Sixel is especially interested in the matter of contracts (see Section 5.05,
Purchases and Contracts).
Chair Carver would like to know what reasonable amounts would be for department heads to
work with, e.g., $20,000.
Commissioner Ornstein asked if a sentence is missing from Section 5.01, The City Manager, in
regard to at will. Ms. Reichert said she will check. Commissioner Carper asked that Ms.
Reichert make a recommendation based on the information she finds in her research.
In regard to Section 5.01, the second sentence, Commissioner Busch said the basis should be
stated.
Chair Carver requested Ms. Reichert to make recommendations in plain English.
In Section 5.02(b), Powers and Duties of the City Manager, Commissioner Busch asked: why
for cause? Ms. Reichert responded that the City Manager is the Chief of Administration.
Char Carver instructed the Commissioners to review Chapters 5 and 6.
V. Future Meetings
The next meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2004 and Wednesday, March 10,
2004.
For the January 14th meeting, Commissioners are asked to read Chapters 5, 6, and 7.
Commissioner Sixel suggested that if Ms. McGann’s visit is delayed, the Commissioners review
up to Chapter 10.
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VI. Other Business: None
VII. Adjournment
As there was no other business, at 8:25 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Sixel, seconded by
Commissioner Jennings, to adjourn.
The motion passed 12-0.
Minutes prepared by:
Linda Samson
Recording Secretary
Respectfully submitted by:
Cynthia Reichert
City Clerk, Charter Commission Staff Liaison