HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/04/29 - ADMIN - Minutes - Charter Commission - RegularOFFICIAL MINUTES
Charter Commission Meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 29, 2024
5:30 p.m. – St. Louis Park City Hall
1. Call to order.
Chair Beckstrand called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He asked the commission for a moment
of silence to recognize the passing of Commissioner David Ault and honor his service to the
community.
2. Roll call and attendance.
Members present: JC Beckstrand, Jim Brimeyer, Gary Carlson, Lynne Carper, Jim de Lambert,
Terry Dwyer and Henry Solmer.
Members absent: Andrew Rose
Others present: Melissa Kennedy (city clerk), Amanda Scott-Lerdal (deputy city clerk)
3. Approval of minutes.
a. Minutes of July 28, 2021 Charter Commission meeting
It was moved by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Brimeyer, to approve the
minutes as presented. The motion passed 7-0.
4. Old business
a. Update on discussion with city council regarding possible amendments to Chapter 2
and Chapter 12 of the St. Louis Park Home Rule Charter
Chair Beckstrand introduced the item and provided a recap of a previous discussion with the
city council related to possible amendments to chapters 2 and 12 of the charter. He stated the
question for the commission is whether this is something the commission wants to continue to
pursue.
Commissioner Brimeyer stated he wants elected officials to know that they should divulge
conflicts of interest immediately and that people are watching closely and want accountability
from their elected representatives.
Commissioner Carper asked if this was reactive to a prior question surrounding a former city
council member or if this was a larger issue.
Chair Beckstrand stated the commission initially looked at this in response to one specific
situation and wants to avoid any confusion or perception of impropriety.
Commissioner Dwyer stated he continues to be apprehensive about a lot of what was discussed
and proposed. He explained that incrementalism may be a better approach and to really look at
the root cause of the situation, such as seeking more clarity around t he definition of conflict.
Charter Commission minutes -2- April 29, 2024
Commissioner Solmer stated the fact that an incident occurred where there was a question of
conflict means the commission should continue to be active in this area and he would also favor
an incremental approach.
Commissioner Carlson noted the time to act is when there is nothing happening rather than
during an active situation to objectively look at the issue.
Commissioner de Lambert stated he was not crazy about the idea in general because he does
not view the commission’s role as that of oversight of the city council. He agreed if anything is
done, it should be incremental.
Chair Beckstrand summarized the feedback from the discussion. The consensus of the
commission was to look for ways in the future to review all sections of the charter to ensure
they continue to be relevant, align with goals related to transparency and provide the level of
clarity needed for effective interpretation and application.
5. New business
a. Discuss recruitment needs and strategies
Ms. Kennedy provided an overview of the recruitment strategies utilized by the city. She
encouraged commissioners to think about their connections in the community and considered
discussing this opportunity more broadly to increase awareness. She noted that many people are
more likely to consider an opportunity if they are asked to participate by someone they already
know and have a connection to.
Commissioners agreed to share recruitment information within other community groups they
were involved in and asked staff to prepare physical and digital resources that could be used to
promote participation and outline the role and work of the commission.
b. Election of officers for 2024
It was moved by Commissioner Beckstrand, seconded by Commissioner Carper, to appoint Terry
Dwyer to the position of Chair of the Charter Commission. The motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Carlson, to appoint Jim de
Lambert to the position of Vice Chair of the Charter Commission. The motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Commissioner de Lambert, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, to appoint Lynne
Carper to the position of Secretary of the Charter Commission. The motion passed 7-0.
c. Annual report to the district court
Chair Beckstrand reviewed the process to submit annual reports to the district court. After brief
discussion, the commission agreed to continue with the current practice of staff preparing an
annual report in collaboration with the current chair of the com mission and facilitating
submission to the court after review by the commission.
Charter Commission minutes -3- April 29, 2024
d. Official city communication channels
Chair Beckstrand explained that he requested this topic be added to the agenda for a brief
discussion to ensure that the current provisions of the charter were not restrictive and continued
to align with the goal of promoting transparency in government. He stated people get their
information from many different sources and it is important that people have a way to stay
informed from trusted resources.
Ms. Kennedy stated the city utilizes multiple communication strategies and tools to provide
opportunities for people to stay informed and to understand what is happening at the city level.
She explained the charter aligns with state laws related to official legal notices and the city tries
to go above and beyond the minimum requirements by providing information to people via
different pathways. She noted that one of the city’s strategic priorities is centered on
engagement and this reflects both the city co uncil’s and the community’s expectations that the
city provide meaningful ways for people to stay engaged and informed.
Commissioners discussed the importance of transparency in government and that the charter
should, where appropriate and possible, continue to reflect that this is an expectation in the city.
6. Future meetings
The commission asked staff to coordinate a meeting of the commission in March 2025.
7. Communications
8. Adjournment
It was moved by Commissioner Brimeyer, seconded by Commissioner Carper to adjourn the
meeting. The motion passed 7-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by: Melissa Kennedy, city clerk