HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/03/10 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Charter Commission - RegularSt. Louis Park Charter Commission
Chair: Paul Carver 612-672-3263
Meeting Notice and Agenda
Wednesday, March 10, 2004 7:00 p.m.
Westwood Room - 3rd Floor of City Hall
AGENDA
I. Introductions & Attendance
• Requests for excused absences
II. Minutes of January 14, 2004 Meeting
III. Review of Chapters 5, 6 & 7 with City Finance Director, Jean McGann
III. 2004 Charter Celebration
• Task Force Update
IV. Annual Elections
• Report of Nominating Committee
• Election
VI. Future Meetings
• May, 2004
V. Other Business
Please notify Chair, Paul Carver, 612-672-3263, if you are unable to attend.
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make
arrangements, please call the Department of Administration at 952/924-2525 (TDD
952/924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of the meeting.
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
January 14, 2004
City Council Chambers, City Hall
I. Call to Order
Chair Carver called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and suggested that regular business
be postponed until after the Fairvote MN presentation.
II. Presentation by Fairvote MN
Fran Hesch, former Hopkins Councilmember and a representative of Fairvote MN, gave a
presentation on alternative voting methods used in other states and countries. Her group
is advocating for a change in how elections are run in Minnesota. Following the
presentation commission members asked questions of Ms. Hesch and thanked her for
bringing the information to the commission.
III. Introductions and Attendance
It was moved by Commissioner Loftus, seconded by Commissioner Carper, to excuse the
absences of the following members: Dave Ornstein, Nathan Busch. The motion passed
13-0.
A. Members Present: Paul Carver, Carol Walsh, Marilyn Hoeft, Lynne Carper, Cheryl
Ernst, Brian Fiderlein, Steve Fillbrandt, Linda Jennings, David Johnson, Jan Loftus,
Michelle Olmstead, James Schaefer and Michael Sixel.
B. Members Excused: David Ornstein and Nathan Busch.
C. Members Unexcused: None
D. Staff Present: City Clerk Cindy Reichert; St. Louis Park League of Women Voters
Celia Andersen.
E. Vacancies: None.
II. Approval of Minutes of November 12, 2003
Ms. Reichert informed the group that the Charter Commission’s Recording Secretary,
Linda Samson, had resigned from employment with the city. Until such time as a new
Recording Secretary can be hired, Ms. Reichert would be willing to prepare meeting
minutes.
Commissioner Jennings reported that page 3, paragraph 1, line 3, should read that the
Historical Society will participate on the marketing committee.
It was moved by Commissioner Hoeft, seconded by Commissioner Fiderlein, to approve
the minutes of November 12, 2003 as amended. (Commissioner Loftus abstained).
The motion passed 12-0-1.
III. 2004 Charter Celebration
Task Force Update
Events Committee - Commissioner Loftus reported that the events committee had
accomplished much since the last commission meeting. Commissioner Loftus had been
to the Parktacular planning committee meeting and felt that plans were going smoothly.
The kick-off program to be associated with Parktacular will be held on Sunday, June 20th
at 2:00 p.m. There would also be an opportunity to participate in the parade to be held on
Friday, June 18th.
Education Committee - Commissioner Jennings reported on activities of the education
committee saying that they had met with Barb DeMaster of St. Louis Park Schools to
review the commission’s proposal regarding the educational component. Based on those
discussions, the focus of the educational program is proposed to be directed toward the
3rd, 7th and 9th grade classes.
Marketing Committee - Commissioner Walsh reported that the Marketing Committee had
also met and were working on language for a simple brochure. Other marketing
opportunities would be available in the City’s Park Perspective and Business Line
newsletters. Martha McDonell would be working to take information to the
neighborhood groups. The committee was also working with Bob Reiss of the historical
society to assist.
Commissioner Carper reported that they had been looking more carefully at the
celebration budget and were developing a more definitive picture of all costs associated
with the celebration.
The committee has been working with Knollwood and space would be available there
and at city hall for a traveling exhibit about the celebration and related activities. The
Historical Society was also assisting in putting together the exhibit.
Commissioner Sixel suggested that any traveling exhibit put together be sturdy enough to
withstand being moved several times. He also suggested that they take care to set their
projected budget high enough to accomplish all identified goals.
Chair Carver asked if a projected total cost for celebration activities had been identified.
Commissioner Olmstead responded that they were still working with ballpark figures and
would have more information on specific costs at a future meeting.
Chair Carver asked if the committees were satisfied with the assistance they were
receiving from the rest of the commission members and if they needed anything they did
not feel they were getting.
Commissioner Loftus responded that the marketing committee needed more help.
Commissioner Sixel volunteered to assist the marketing committee in their efforts.
IV. Appoint nominating committee for March election
Chair Carver informed commission members that elections would be held at the March
meeting and that he did not wish to serve an additional term as chair.
He asked for persons to volunteer to serve on a nominating committee.
Commissioners Ernst and Fiderlein volunteered to serve on that committee.
V. Future Meetings
The next meeting of the commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at
which time discussion will be held on Chapters 5, 6 & 7. The City’s Finance Director,
Jean McGann will be in attendance at the meeting.
VI. Other Business: None
VII. Adjournment
As there was no other business, at 8:30 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Jennings,
seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to adjourn.
The motion passed 13-0.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cynthia Reichert
City Clerk, Charter Commission Staff Liaison