HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/11/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
November 10, 2004
City Council Chambers, City Hall
I. Call to Order
Chair Carper called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
II. Introductions and Attendance
A. Members Present: Lynn Carper, Steve Fillbrandt, Marilyn Hoeft, Nathan Busch, Paul
Carver, Cheryl Ernst, Brian Fiderlein, Linda Jennings, Janice Loftus, James Orenstein, James
Schaefer, Michael Sixel, Carol Walsh, Ryan Winkler
B. Members Excused: David Ornstein
It was moved by Commissioner Carver seconded by Commissioner Loftus, to excuse the absence
of the following members: David Ornstein. The motion passed unanimously
C. Welcome New Members: John Orenstein, Ryan Winkler
D. Report on Vacancies: Ms. Reichert informed the commission that a resignation has been
received from Carol Walsh. The court will be contacted to determine if additional applications
are on file and if not an advertisement will appear in the Sun Sailor.
Mr. Carver and Mr. Sixel noted that their terms were nearly done and due to the statutory term
limitation, neither would be requesting reappointment. Chair Carper also reported that David
Ornstein had informed him that he will also not be seeking reappointment.
III. Minutes of May 12, 2004 Meeting
Several changes and corrections to the minutes were noted:
Commissioner Fiderlein noted that he was present at the May 12th meeting and therefore should
not be included in the list of excused members
Commissioner Loftus suggested the following revisions to Section II: (note strikeout/underline)
Correct spelling of “Schwartz”
Paragraph 1 - revise first sentence to “Ms. Loftus thanked Ms. Reichert, Mr. Fiderlein, Ms.
Jennings, Ms. Walsh and Mr. Carper for their continued assistance.
Paragraph 1 – revise fourth sentence to read “The parade will include the Charter Commission
all commission members on the bus.
Paragraph 5 – revise third sentence to read “Ms. Jennings Commissioners Loftus and Carper
contacted Rotary…”
Paragraph 17 – delete second sentence “Sarah Kreswieck and Martha McDonnell are to set it
up.”
Paragraph 18 - - revise sentence two to read “…he and Ms. Jennings Commissioner Loftus will
talk to Rotary.”
It was moved by Commissioner Sixel, seconded by Commissioner Carver to approve the minutes
of May 12, 2004 as amended. The motion passed unanimously
Charter Meeting Minutes -2- November 10, 2004
II. 2004 Charter Celebration Task Force Update
Commissioner Loftus presented the final version of an outline summarizing all the activities
associated with the Charter Celebration. She stated that the commission had accomplished most
of the objectives originally proposed and thanked all who participated in making the effort a
success.
Commissioner Jennings reported that the education initiatives were operating successfully. The
Citizen’s Academy has occurred and school tours for the 3rd grade classes were scheduled for
December. The 7th grade component, a video and PowerPoint presentation, will be presented on
cable and in the classrooms. Planning for the 9th grade component is still in progress.
Commissioner Walsh offered to continue to work on the celebration activities even after she was
no longer a member. The traveling kiosk will be moving to city hall and will be on display in
January for the actual celebration.
Chair Carper thanked everyone for their hard work and reported that fundraising efforts are still
underway to cover the cost of busing.
IV. Review of Chapters 11, 12
Ms. Reichert presented a brief memo indicating that the staff and city attorney recommendation
is to eliminate section11.01 regarding bonds to be posted by certain officers. Bond coverage of
city employees is now a statutory requirement for all cities and officers no longer post their own
bonds. The League of MN Cities Insurance Trust offers public employee bond coverage to all
cities as part of their overall package of coverage.
Motion by Commissioner Fillbrandt, seconded by Commissioner Hoeft to recommend deletion of
Charter section 11.01 Official Bonds. Motion passed unanimously.
The city attorney had also recommended deletion of section 11.06, City Officers Not to Accept
Favors or Contracts, as state statute speaks to this topic.
Commissioner Carver did not feel enough information had been provided to make an informed
decision. He would like to review the statute and other regulations which may apply.
Commissioner Sixel pointed out that the Charter is often more restrictive than statute and felt it
was appropriate to hold the city’s officers to a higher standard.
Commissioner Winkler suggested keeping the section but revising to reference statute.
Discussion ensued regarding similar provisions in chapter 12, but it was noted that the ethics
chapter applied only to elected officials. Commissioners wanted to be sure provisions were in
place which regulated the acts of all city employees.
Ms. Reichert offered to perform additional research and present the statutory language and other
administrative rules and policies which speak to conduct of employees regarding gifts and
contracts at the next meeting.
Chair Carper led the group in a review of each section of chapter 11.
Charter Meeting Minutes -3- November 10, 2004
Regarding section 11.02, Sale of Real Property, questions were raised about the use of the phrase
“ordinance or resolution”. Commissioners questioned why both vehicles were mentioned. Ms.
Reichert was unsure, but believed there may be provisions in statute which regulated how sale of
property occurred. There were also questions about the involvement in the process by Planning
Commission, Housing Authority and Economic Development Authority.
Commissioner Busch expressed concern with the city’s home renewal program and believed that
public hearings should be required before any land sale occurred. He believed there should be
language inserted into the charter which would further regulate the city’s ability to purchase and
redevelop property.
Ms. Reichert offered to provide additional information for further discussion at the next meeting.
Commissioners moved on to discussion of Chapter 12. No recommendations for change had
been made by staff or the city attorneys as a complete review had taken place in 1999 and
changes had been made at that time to conform with statute.
Following brief discussion, commissioners requested copies of materials from that review before
further discussion at a future meeting.
V. Future Meetings
Commissioner Loftus suggested the group not meet until March, when the annual meeting and
election of officers is to occur.
Ms. Reichert requested that a meeting be held in January to discuss an item from the chapter 6
review regarding bond sales which the city’s bond counsel was prepared to attend. She also
stated that she is anxious to move forward with recommendations already voted on by the
commission, especially provisions related to filing dates for local elections which would need to
be in effect prior to the next election season.
Chair Carper suggested the commission meet on January 12th and mark calendars for March 9th
for the commission’s annual meeting.
The next meeting of the Charter Commission was set for January 12, 2005
VI. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Chair Carper called for a motion to adjourn.
Motion by Commissioner Loftus, seconded by Commissioner Jennings to adjourn the meeting at
8:25 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cynthia Reichert
City Staff Liaison and City Clerk