Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/03/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 14, 2012 7:00 p.m. – Council Chambers City Hall 1. Call to Order Chair Carper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call and Attendance Members Present: Jim Brimeyer, Lynne Carper, Jim de Lambert (late), Terry Dwyer, Brian Fiderlein, Ken Gothberg, Tamara Nugteren, Nathan Prosser, Pat Skinner and Henry Solmer. Members Absent: JC Beckstrand (excused), Gary Carlson (excused), Matthew Flory, Erica Gutmann Strohl (excused) Others Present: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk/Charter Commission Liaison; Kay Midura, recording secretary 2a. Requests for Excused Absences It was moved by Commissioner Fiderlein, seconded by Commissioner Skinner to accept the excused absences of JC Beckstrand, Gary Carlson and Erica Gutmann Strohl. The motion was unanimously approved. 2b. Reappointments Ms. Stroth indicated that JC Beckstrand and Terry Dwyer were reappointed by the judge for a new term expiring January 27, 2016. 2c. 2012 Term Expirations Ms. Stroth indicated that Lynne Carper’s, Nathan Prosser’s and Pat Skinner’s terms will expire December 31, 2012. As that date nears, Ms. Stroth will send these commissioners a form via e- mail regarding reappointment. The judge will be sending out the notices. 3. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Commissioner Gothberg, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer to approve the minutes of December 6, 2011 as submitted. The motion passed 9-0-1(Chair Carper abstain). 5. New Business 5a. Election of Officers Chair Carper indicated that Election of Officers needed to take place and inquired regarding interest of current officers. It was moved by Commissioner Brimeyer, seconded by Commissioner Nugteren to nominate the current slate of officers for re-election. The motion was unanimously approved. 5b. Proposed Annual Report for District Court - Year 2011 Ms. Stroth explained that the Annual Report is submitted each year to describe the work and accomplishments of the Charter Commission. The Commission’s first meeting was the Annual Meeting in March, with an additional meeting in December regarding the Civil Penalty Amendment. Chair Carper inquired if anyone had any changes to the Annual Report to the District Court for the year 2011. Charter Commission Minutes -2- March 14, 2012 It was moved by Commissioner Fiderlein, seconded by Commissioner de Lambert to approve the 2011 Charter Commission Annual Report for submittal to Hennepin County District Court. The motion was unanimously approved. 5c. Legislative Update Chair Carper distributed a summary of proposed legislation which was prepared by Commissioner Carlson. The commissioners were given time to peruse the summary. Commissioner Nugteren asked for an explanation of “provisional balloting.” Chair Carper explained that provisional balloting allows those who arrive at polling places without a valid ID to submit their ballots in a separate ballot box. These ballots are held in custody by the City for a week, during which time the voters can come to City Hall and present appropriate identification to allow their ballots to be counted. Ms. Stroth added that the legislature is trying to push this bill through in order to start using voter ID before the local elections in 2013. Many cities are trying to postpone initiating voter ID until 2014. She also added that there is no reference to voter ID in the City Charter, but there is reference to canvassing the results of elections within 7 days. The City would not be able to canvas the election results until after the provisional balloting was complete. If the Voter ID Amendment passes, the City Charter would have to be changed in regard to canvassing election results. Chair Carper replied that the City Attorney could be involved. Commissioner Gothberg questioned how those who are voting absentee would be able to produce identification. 6. Future Meetings Chair Carper proposed setting March 13, 2013 (second Wednesday in March) at 7:00 p.m. as the next meeting of the Charter Commission. He did not feel it was necessary to call for a vote. If a meeting is necessary after the end of the legislative session, a notice will go out. Commissioner Dwyer asked about the dates of spring break for St. Louis Park schools. Commissioner Nugteren said that spring break is usually the last week in March. 7. Communications 7a. Liaison Update Ms. Stroth reported on the status of the ordinance amending the St. Louis Park City Charter concerning civil penalties: February 21 was the first reading. March 5 the second reading and ordinance was approved. March 15 the ordinance will be published. June 15, 2012 the ordinance will take effect. These steps have been for the Charter language only. In June, the procedures will be laid out and discussed by the City Council. These procedural details will become part of the City Code. 8. Adjournment It was moved by Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Skinner to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by: Nancy Stroth, Liaison and Kay Midura, Recording Secretary