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Home My WebLink About2004/01/14 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Charter Commission - RegularSt. Louis Park Charter Commission Chair: Paul Carver 612-672-3263 Meeting Notice and Agenda Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers - 3rd Floor of City Hall AGENDA I. Introductions & Attendance • Requests for excused absences II. Minutes of November 11, 2003 Meeting III. Presentation by Fairvote MN (following the presentation, Commissioners will move to the Westwood Room) IV. 2004 Charter Celebration • Task Force Update V. Appoint Nominating Committee for March election VI. Future Meetings • March 10, 2004 – Review of Chapters 5 & 6 with Finance Director Charter Commission Elections VII. 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 November 12, 2003 Westwood Room, City Hall I. Call to Order Chair Carver called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Introductions and Attendance It was moved by Commissioner Sixel, seconded by Commissioner Hoeft, to excuse the absences of the following members: Janice Loftus and Michelle Olmstead. The motion passed 9-0. A. Members Present: Paul Carver, Carol Walsh, Marilyn Hoeft, Nathan Busch, Lynne Carper, Cheryl Ernst, Steve Fillbrandt, Linda Jennings, and Michael Sixel. David Ornstein arrived at 7:05 p.m., Brian Fiderlein arrived at 7:10 p.m., and James Schaefer arrived at 7:17 p.m. B. Members Excused: Janice Loftus and Michelle Olmstead. C. Members Unexcused: David Johnson. D. Staff Present: City Clerk Cindy Reichert; St. Louis Park League of Women Voters Celia Andersen; and Recording Secretary Linda Samson. E. Vacancies: None. II. Approval of Minutes of September 10, 2003 Commissioner Busch reported that on page 3, paragraph 3, line 1, chiar should be chair. Commissioner Jennings reported that on page 4, paragraph 11, line 2, iinformed should be informed. It was moved by Commissioner Ernst, seconded by Commissioner Carper, to approve the minutes of September 10, 2003 as amended. (Commissioners Hoeft and Ornstein abstained). The motion passed 7-0-2. III. 2004 Charter Celebration Task Force Update Commissioner Jennings said the task force is working on a budget and banners. She reported that banners cost $75-95 each. Commissioner Jennings said the Historical Society will participate on the Education Committee. Kiosks are anticipated to be located at Excelsior & Grand and at Knollwood Mall. After additional budget discussion, the task force subgroups will meet. Commissioner Carper said people are needed to help with planning and making contacts. Commissioner Carper contacted Bill Gleason and received feedback. IV. Charter Document Review—Chapters 4, 5, and 6 Ms. Reichert distributed newly printed copies of the Home Rule Charter to the Commissioners (printed November 2003). Ms. Reichert reported that Chapter 12 was unintentionally deleted from the 1999 publication. Some Commissioners asked questions about candidate filing. Ms. Reichert asked how the Commission would like to proceed in regard to the Staff Note on page 33, which states: Intent of the Charter Commission was to strike the following sections upon adoption of Ordinance #2114-98. However, the ordinance as adopted by the council was incorrectly formatted and did not indicate deletion of these sections. A recommendation to formally strike sections (3) and (4) should be considered by the Charter Commission at the earliest opportunity. Ms. Reichert provided a memo to the Commission, which states her suggestions for chapters 4, 5, and 6 of the Home Rule Charter. Ms. Reichert briefly discussed instant runoff voting (IRV). She reported that Fair Vote Minnesota would like to visit with the Charter Commission. Ms. Reichert also distributed a summary of the Charter review and recommendations regarding Chapters 1, 2, and 3. Commissioner Hoeft inquired if the Secretary of State may have a speaker available to present information regarding instant runoff voting. Ms. Reichert said she will make contacts in regard to instant runoff voting. Commissioner Fillbrandt asked about the possibility of moving the presidential primary to March. Ms. Reichert said that a bill had been introduced at the 2003 legislative session which did not pass. Chair Carver requested that a discussion regarding instant runoff voting also include discussion on Section 4.03, Primary Elections. The Charter Commission would also like to discuss the At- Large A and B offices. The Commissioners discussed Ms. Reichert’s memo, which produced the following motions. Ms. Reichert suggested that in Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.02, Regular Municipal Election: delete fifteen (15) days and replace with two (2) weeks. It was moved by Commissioner Fiderlein, seconded by Commissioner Sixel, to delete fifteen (15) days and replace with two (2) weeks. The motion passed 12-0. Ms. Reichert suggested that in Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.03, Primary Elections: delete fifteen (15) days and replace with two (2) weeks. It was moved by Commissioner Schaefer, seconded by Commissioner Ernst, to delete fifteen (15) days and replace with two (2) weeks. The motion passed 12-0. Commissioner Busch would like to see the statutory requirements regarding Section 4.03, Primary Elections. Commissioner Carper asked about candidates’ filing fees. The Commissioners exchanged their opinions regarding appropriate fee amounts. Ms. Reichert suggested that in Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.06, Nomination by Petition: delete twelve (12) and replace with ten (10); and delete eighty-four (84) and replace with seventy (70). It was moved by Commissioner Carper, seconded by Commissioner Hoeft, to delete twelve (12) and replace with ten (10); and delete eighty-four (84) and replace with seventy (70). The motion passed 12-0. Ms. Reichert said Director of Finance Jean McGann will attend a Charter Commission meeting in early 2004 to discuss Chapters 5 and 6. Commissioner Sixel requested the Charter Commission minutes regarding the last revision of the Charter be retrieved and distributed to the Commission, i.e., from about five years ago. Commissioner Sixel is especially interested in the matter of contracts (see Section 5.05, Purchases and Contracts). Chair Carver would like to know what reasonable amounts would be for department heads to work with, e.g., $20,000. Commissioner Ornstein asked if a sentence is missing from Section 5.01, The City Manager, in regard to at will. Ms. Reichert said she will check. Commissioner Carper asked that Ms. Reichert make a recommendation based on the information she finds in her research. In regard to Section 5.01, the second sentence, Commissioner Busch said the basis for dismissal should be stated. Char Carver instructed the Commissioners to review Chapters 5 and 6. V. Future Meetings The next meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2004 and Wednesday, March 10, 2004. For the January 14th meeting, Commissioners are asked to read Chapters 5, 6, and 7. Commissioner Sixel suggested that if Ms. McGann’s visit is delayed, the Commissioners review up to Chapter 10. VI. Other Business: None VII. Adjournment As there was no other business, at 8:25 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Sixel, seconded by Commissioner Jennings, to adjourn. The motion passed 12-0. Minutes prepared by: Linda Samson Recording Secretary Respectfully submitted by: Cynthia Reichert City Clerk, Charter Commission Staff Liaison