HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-17 CHC MIN
City of Stillwater
Charter Commission
Oct. 17, 2005
Present: Mary Ruch, chair
Patrick Needham Dwayne Nelson and Dorothy Molstad
Absent: Wayne Anderson, Gene Bealka, Ned Gordon and John Lund
Approval of minutes: Mr. Needham, seconded by Mr. Nelson, moved approval of the
minutes of June20, 2005. Motion passed unanimously.
Old business:
1) Distribution of Minnesota Home Rule Cities, Chapter 4. Mr. Gordon received
permission from the Minnesota League of Cities to copy this material.
2) Having ordinances and statutes referenced in the Charter placed on the web site.
Ms. Ruch said she thought Clerk Ward had likely completed this task. Mr. Gordon
compiled the list.
3) How to amend the Charter - Ms. Ward also was to place this on the web site. Mr.
Nelson volunteered to try to find the above listed items on the web.
4) Mr. Magnuson's response to scrivener's changes was included in the agenda
material. Mr. Magnuson agreed with most changes, but suggested the use of they,
their, themselves rather than his/her. Ms. Ruch recommended that this discussion be
tabled until Mr. Gordon is in attendance.
5) Other reference material for the web site - Ms. Molstad suggested more information
regarding the application process be posted. There was some discussion as to the
current application process; Ms. Ruch agreed that would be a good idea for
inclusion. Mr. Needham suggested using local cable TV or the Pioneer Press to
advertise Commission vacancies. Mr. Needham volunteered to contact other media
outlets to determine the feasibility of publicizing vacancies. Ms. Molstad asked
whether the Charter specifies the notification process; Ms. Ruch said she would
check into that and e-mail clarification to members.
6) Ms. Molstad asked about members' terms. Ms. Ruch noted that according to the
City's Charter, members are limited to two consecutive full terms. There also was
discussion about allowing City Councilmembers to serve on the Commission.
According to statute, it was noted, a city charter can preclude council members from
serving on the Commission. Ms. Ruch suggested that, if possible, consideration to
given to changing the City Charter to preclude Council members from serving. Ms.
Ruch volunteered to look at the statutes to determine if there is language that would
allow the City Charter to be amended to preclude Councilmembers from serving on
the Commission.
New business:
11) Ms. Ruch noted that Jeanne Anderson had resigned from the Commission.
2) Ms. Ruch asked that in between meetings members who are working on a project
keep other members up to date via e-mail. Ms. Molstad asked if the e-mail list was
up to date, noting that she did not receive the meeting notice. Ms. Ruch said she
would have City staff send everyone a copy of the updated list.
3) Discussion of chairmanship - Ms. Ruch noted she would be present for only two
more meetings. She said she had discussed the issue with Wayne Anderson;
however, Mr. Anderson is planning on moving from Stillwater in the spring. Mr.
Needham suggested Mr. Bealka as a possible successor; Ms. Ruch said she would
be happy to contact Mr. Bealka regarding his interest. Ms. Ruch said she would also
contact Mr. Gordon regarding his interest.
4) There was a general discussion about redistricting and the City's ward system.
5) Discussion of Guide for Charter Commissions - Ms. Ruch suggested the book was a
good resource for giving a sense of what a Charter Commission should be doing and
how to think of the Commission's work. She said the document applies to the initial
Charter of a city but also applies to amendments. Ms. Ruch suggested the book was
worth reading and recommended that the Commission go through the book perhaps
chapter by chapter at future meetings. Points of discussion ranged from initiative-
referendum to city administrator vs. city manager form of government, to
consolidation. Ms. Ruch asked that members go through the document and highlight
topics of interest for the next meeting.
Mr. Needham, seconded by Mr. Nelson, moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary