HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/03/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
March 9, 2011
7:00 p.m. – Westwood Room City Hall
1. Call to Order
Chair Fiderlein called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call and Attendance
Members Present: JC Beckstrand, Gary Carlson, Lynne Carper, Jim de Lambert, Terry Dwyer,
Brian Fiderlein, Matthew Flory, Ken Gothberg, Tamara Nugteren, Nathan Prosser, Pat Skinner,
Erica Gutmann Strohl and Brittney Turner.
Members Absent: Jim Brimeyer (excused).
Others Present: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk/Charter Commission Liaison.
2a. Requests for Excused Absences
It was moved by Commissioner Skinner, seconded by Commissioner Carlson to accept the
excused absence of Jim Brimeyer. The motion was unanimously approved.
2b. Introduction of New Member and Reappointments
Ms. Stroth introduced new Commissioner Tamara Nugteren appointed November 12, 2010 with
a term expiration on November 12, 2014 and filling the vacancy of James Kelly. She also
indicated that Gary Carlson was reappointed with a new term expiring October 2, 2014.
Introductions followed as each commissioner introduced themselves.
2c. 2011 Term Expirations
Chair Fiderlein reviewed terms of commissioners and indicated Ken Gothberg’s term will expire
in June 2011. Commissioners will need to inform Ms. Stroth or the Hennepin County Chief
Judge regarding reappointments. The City will help the District Court advertise any Commission
openings that become available.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Turner to approve the
minutes of April 14, 2010 as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Old Business
4a. Charter Amendments Primary Election and candidate filing dates, Finance
Director/City Treasurer
Ms. Stroth reviewed the Charter approved amendments to Sections 4.03, 4.06, 6.09, and 6.10
regarding municipal elections and city staff positions. She indicated on June 28, 2010 these
section amendments were approved by the City Council as Ordinance 2386-10 which became
effective October 6, 2010.
5. New Business
5a. Election of Officers
Chair Fiderlein indicated that Election of Officers needed to take place and inquired regarding
interest of current officers.
Charter Commission Minutes -2- March 9, 2011
Chair Nominations: Commissioner Turner nominated Lynne Carper as Chair, and Commissioner
Carper accepted. There were no other nominations.
It was moved by Commissioner Turner, seconded by Commissioner Carlson to nominate
Commissioner Lynne Carper as Chair of the Charter Commission until the next annual meeting
of the Charter Commission. The motion was unanimously approved.
Vice Chair Nominations: Commissioner Carlson nominated Pat Skinner as Vice Chair and
Commissioner Skinner accepted. There were no other nominations.
It was moved by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Prosser to nominate
Commissioner Patrick Skinner as Vice Chair of the Charter Commission until the next annual
meeting of the Charter Commission. The motion was unanimously approved.
Secretary Nominations: Commissioner Gothberg nominated Brian Fiderlein as Secretary, and
Commissioner Fiderlein accepted. There were no other nominations.
It was moved by Commissioner Gothberg, seconded by Commissioner Carper to nominate
Commissioner Fiderlein as Secretary of the Charter Commission until the next annual meeting
of the Charter Commission. The motion was unanimously approved.
5b. Proposed Annual Report for District Court - Year 2009
Chair Fiderlein inquired if anyone had any changes to the Annual Report to the District Court for
the year 2010.
It was moved by Commissioner Beckstrand, seconded by Commissioner Skinner to approve the
2010 Charter Commission Annual Report for submittal to Hennepin County District Court. The
motion was unanimously approved.
5c. Legislative Update – Gary Carlson
Commissioner Carlson presented an update on proposed legislative changes. He stated there
were no legislative changes to report that would affect the St. Louis Park City Charter. He
indicated one proposed change in state statutes that would impact cities with odd year elections
regarding redrawing redistricting boundaries this year from the census data and again after
legislative redistricting. This would only have an impact on the city but not the city charter.
Commissioner Carlson reviewed other proposed legislation regarding regulation of private wells,
variances to property owners, levy limits restrictions replacing loss of money, restricting use of
interim ordinances, and street improvements Chapter 435. He also mentioned that relationships
with city and state will continue to function regardless of a shut down. The next session was
scheduled for May 23 and he stated if anything comes up that would affect the city charter he
would let the commission know.
6. Future Meetings
Discussion took place regarding future meetings.
Commissioner Carper felt there was not a reason to meet until after the end of the legislative
session, and if a meeting was necessary a notice would go out.
Commissioner Gothberg recommended the next official meeting be set for 2012.
Charter Commission Minutes -3- March 9, 2011
It was the consensus of the commissioners to set the next meeting for Wednesday, March 14th at
7:00 p.m.
7. Communications
All commissioners were invited to participate in the Citizens Academy (originated by the Charter
Commission) held on March 22, 29 and April 5 from 7-9 at the Lenox Community Center and
our Police Station for the low cost of $5.
Commissioner Beckstrand recommended commissioners attend the State of the City at MSC.
8. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Strohl to adjourn the meeting at
7:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by: Nancy Stroth, Liaison and Brian Fiderlein, Secretary