Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/03/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 22, 2006 City Hall Westwood Room 1. Call to Order Chair Carper called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Introductions and Attendance Members Present: Lynne Carper, Steve Fillbrandt, Marilyn Hoeft, Jim de Lambert, Cheryl Ernst, Brian Fiderlein, Linda Jennings, Janice Loftus, John Orenstein, and William Wernz Others Present: Marcia Honold, Management Assistant/Charter Commission Liaison; Linda Samson, Recording Secretary 2a. Requests for Excused Absences Members Excused: None 2b. Report on Vacancies & Recruitment Activities Ms. Honold reported that there are four openings. 3. Approval of Minutes – December 14, 2005 Corrections to the minutes were as follows: Chair Carper said his first name should be Lynne not Lynn. Commissioner Fiderlein said his name is misspelled. It was moved by Commissioner Fillbrandt, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to approve the minutes of December 14, 2005 as amended. The motion passed 10-0. 4. Old Business Chair Carper announced that Celia Andersen from the League of Women Voters (LWV) passed away on March 9, 2006. Chair Carper acknowledged her many years of service to St. Louis Park. Chair Carper remarked that some terms have expired, however, all Commissioners present tonight have been appointed and may vote. Nathan Buschs’ term has lapsed. 5. New Business 5a. Election 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; Linda Jennings, Secretary. Motion passed 10-0. 5b. Proposed Annual Report for District Court – Year 2005 The Charter Commission reviewed and approved the proposed Annual Report for 2005. Staff will forward a copy of the report to the District Court for filing. 5c. Commission By-Laws Commissioner Filbrandt requested the agenda reflect if an item is an action item. Commissioner Loftus asked: How many Commissioners constitute a quorum? Ms. Honold said that question will be deferred to the City Attorney. Commissioner Fiderlein asked: Where does it state 15 members? A quorum would be 8, leave out 15. Commissioner Wernz asked about without cause in number 11 of the Rule Codification list. Ms. Honold will request the appropriate state law. For number 13, add stated immediately following otherwise. Commissioner Hoeft said she prefers parliamentary rules as opposed to Roberts Rules Revised. Chair Carper recommends changing to Roberts Rules Revised. Commissioner Orenstein asked if Rule Codification could be changed to Bylaws? It was moved by Commissioner Hoeft, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to accept the additions and recommendations listed above. The motion passed 10-0. Commissioner Jennings asked if bylaws have to go to the Council for approval? 6. Future Meetings Chair Carper spoke to a Councilmember regarding instant runoff voting (IRV); he hopes to have a meeting regarding IRV. Chair Carper proposed that a state official present IRV information to the Charter Commission on May 10th. Chair Carper will send notice regarding the May 10th meeting and asked staff to invite City Council to the meeting. Unless there is a need to meet earlier, no meeting will be held during the summer. Charter will likely hold a meeting toward mid-Fall and a December meeting with dates and times to be determined at a future date. 6a. Determine future projects/needs In regard to eminent domain, Commissioner Wernz suggested the City wait on that. Commissioner Hoeft thinks the City is doing just fine. Chair Carper said the Charter Commission will not take any action on the eminent domain language in the Charter at this time. 7. Communications Commissioner Loftus asked about the Citizens Academy. Ms. Honold said only two people signed up. Chair Carper described his experience with the Police Academy. Commissioner Loftus is concerned about the lack of interest for the Citizens Academy; perhaps we need to do something different such as combine it with the Police Academy. Chair Carper said it may be that fall is better. Commissioner Hoeft requested a current Charter Commission roster be included with the minutes. 8. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Carper called for a motion to adjourn. Motion by Commissioner Wernz, seconded by Commissioner Loftus,t to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. The motion passed10-0. Respectfully submitted by: Linda Samson, Recording Secretary