HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/10/30 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
October 30, 2006
City Hall Westwood Room
1. Call to Order
Chair Carper called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Introductions and Attendance
Members Present: Gary Carlson, Lynne Carper, Steve Fillbrandt, Ken Gothberg, Marilyn Hoeft,
Jim Kelly, Jim de Lambert, Cheryl Ernst, Brian Fiderlein, Tessia Gardner, Linda Jennings,
Janice Loftus, and Pat Skinner. John Orenstein arrived at 7:10 p.m.
Members Absent: William Wernz
Others Present: City Attorney Roger Knutson; Marcia Honold, Management Assistant/Charter
Commission Liaison; and Linda Samson, Recording Secretary.
2a. Requests for Excused Absences
Members Excused: William Wernz
2b. Welcome New Commissioners
The Charter Commission welcomed new commissioners Gary Carlson, Ken Gothberg, Jim
Kelly, and Pat Skinner.
3. Approval of Minutes – May 22, 2006
It was moved by Commissioner Loftus to approve the amended minutes of May 22, 2006. The
motion passed 12-0-2. Commissioner Ernst and Commissioner Gothberg abstained.
4. Old Business
4a. Review and approve Charter Commission By-laws
City Attorney Roger Knutson addressed the Charter Commission and reviewed the proposed
changes within the by-laws. It was moved by Commissioner Loftus, seconded by Commissioner
Gothberg to approve the revised by-laws.
4b. Sub-committee reports (IRV and Elections Procedures)
Chair Lynne Carper and Commissioner John Orenstein led the commissioners in a discussion
about their subcommittee activities. Chair Carper presented facts related to the cost of IRV,
including legal considerations and the cost of purchasing election equipment. It was his
recommendation to not change the Charter to allow for IRV at this time and to see how IRV
works in Minneapolis if implemented.
Commissioner Orenstein reported that his subcommittee looked at comparative data from other
cities regarding filing costs, primaries and filing practices. His subcommittee concluded that St.
Louis Park is similar to other cities and perhaps a little more restrictive than others, and did not
believe that any modifications should be made to the Charter at this time.
It was moved by Commissioner Gothberg, seconded by Commissioner Loftus, to accept the
subcommittee report. The motion passed 14-0.
5. New Business
Mr. Knutson presented an orientation to the Charter Commission and discussed the role of the
Charter Commission in relation to state statute.
6. Future Meetings
The annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th.
7. Communications
8. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Chair Carper called for a motion to adjourn.
Motion by Commissioner Kelly, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to adjourn the meeting at
8:45 p.m. The motion passed14-0.
Respectfully submitted by:
Linda Samson, Recording Secretary