HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/03/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
March 9, 2005
City Hall Westwood Room
1. Call to Order
Chair Carper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Introductions and Attendance
Members Present: Lynn Carper, Steve Fillbrandt, Marilyn Hoeft, Cheryl Ernst, Brian Fiderlein,
Linda Jennings, Janice Loftus, John Orenstein, and James Schaefer
Others Present: Cindy Reichert, City Clerk/Charter Commission Liaison; Nancy Stroth, Deputy
City Clerk; Kevin Locke, Community Development Director.
2a. Requests for Excused Absences
Members Excused: Paul Carver, Ryan Winkler
It was moved by Commissioner Loftus, seconded by Commissioner Jennings, to excuse the
absence of the following members: Paul Carver and Ryan Winkler. The motion passed
unanimously.
2b. Report on Vacancies & Recruitment Activities
Ms. Reichert reported there were currently two formal vacancies. Two applications were
declined. Paul Carver, whose term expires March 19, 2005, is expected to reapply.
3. Minutes of January 12, 2005 Meeting
Corrections to the minutes were as follows:
1st page, 2A. Members Present. change James Orenstein to “John” Orenstein.
2nd page 4b paragraph 6, remove extra word “taking” to read “ .... are we in trouble by taking that
language out?”
It was moved by Commissioner Fillbrandt, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to approve the
minutes of January 12, 2005 as amended. The motion passed 9-0.
4. Old Business
4a. Report on City Council action on proposed revisions
Ms. Reichert reported the City Council approved all of the recommendations on the proposed
revisions, and stated their appreciation of the work of the Charter Commission.
4b. Section 11.02 Sale of Real Property
Commission members had asked for information regarding the difference between resolution and
ordinance in terms of public process requirements as it relates to sale of property. Ms. Reichert
informed commissioners that, in general, an ordinance is intended to be rules applied to everyone
in the city and most often has a penalty associated with non-compliance. A resolution is a
document which formalizes a decision of the council and is more appropriately used for items of
a routine or administrative nature.
Chair Carper read charter section 11.02 which states that sale of property may be made by
resolution or by ordinance.
Mr. Locke, Community Development Director, was present at the meeting to give a presentation
regarding sale of property and related statutory requirements. Mr. Locke stated that sale of city
property is a relatively rare occurrence and that it is much more common for the city to purchase
land. Our involvement in purchasing property is most often in redevelopment programs and
housing projects. The action of the Economic Development Authority, which is the agency
overseeing redevelopment and housing projects in the city, is not subject to charter requirements.
The EDA is subject to authorities put in place by the Housing and Urban Development Agency
and MN Statute. In all cases, public process is required prior to sale of property which typically
includes published or mailed notices and holding a public hearing.
In all cases, development of property is subject to rules put in place regarding flood plain, zoning
and other restrictions.
Ms. Reichert stated that the last time the city has sold property (independently of the EDA) was
several years ago when a parcel was sold to the Jewish Community Center to facilitate their
redevelopment. That process took a total of approximately two years with significant
notification to residents and opportunity to discuss the issue at meetings.
Following the presentation and discussion Chair Carper asked if there was a motion to make any
changes to section 11.02. No commissioners responded.
5. New Business
5a. Election of Officers
Commissioners Loftus and Fiderlein reported that the Nominations Committee contacted each
commissioner to see if he/she wanted to serve. The Commissioners had received no input since
the last meeting regarding nominations for appointment of officers.
It was moved by Loftus, seconded by Fiderlein to approve the following as officers of the Charter
Commission: Lynne Carper, Chair; Steve Fillbrandt, Vice-Chair; Marilyn Hoeft, Secretary.
Motion passed unanimously.
5b. Proposed Annual Report for District Court – Years 2003 & 2004
Ms. Reichert proposed to prepare a report of the Charter Activities for the review of the Charter
Commission and then submit to the District Court. Commissioners asked that dates of
appointment be verified prior to submission, that it be noted in the report that County
Commissioner Gail Dorfman also be identified as a former mayor of the city and that the League
of Women Voters be identified as the St. Louis Park League of Women Voters.
It was moved by Commissioner Hoeft, seconded by Commissioner Loftus that the report be
accepted as amended and forwarded to the County Court. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Future Meetings
6a. Determine future projects/needs
It was noted that there is no pressing business facing the Charter Commission at the present time
and suggested that the next meeting be held in the fall. September 14th was chosen as the next
meeting date.
7. Communications
8. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Chair Carper called for a motion to adjourn.
Motion by Commissioner Hoeft, seconded by Commissioner Ernst to adjourn the meeting at 9:45
p.m. Motion passed 9-0.
Respectfully submitted by:
Nancy Stroth, Deputy City Clerk