HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-16 CHC MIN
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04/14/98 15:46 FAX 612 351 7327
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MSM ARCHITECTS S
Minutes
Stillwater Charter Commission
Mard112. 1998
Present: Cbaimum Timothy Old, Nance Purcell, , Mary Rueh. Kathy Czar, Laurie Maher
Absent: Don Valsvik, Richard Slavik. Howard Lieberman
Guest: Katie O'Brien. Stillwater Gazette
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Old at 7:20 p.rn, In the absence oftbe recording
secretary, Ms. Rucb agreed to take the meeting minutes.
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Approval of the February 23, 1998 meeting minutes was moved by Ms. Ruch and seconded by Ms.
Purcell. Unanimously adopted.
An agenda item called "Town Topics" was introduced. There was discussion about the City hiring
an architectural finn to develop plans for the Aipel property. It appears that the City will bold
hearings on the plan (once developed). The Charter members refreshed themselves on language in
the Charter that requires public notice for change in use of city owned. river front lands. Ms. Ruch
suggested that this information should be conveyed to the public in a timely fashion through a
newspaper article or letter to the editor. Mr. Old said he would follow up with Mr. Lieberman who
is preparing a letter to the editor.
At the February meeting members were asked to bring a list of four initiatives they felt were
important for the Charter Commission to focus on in the next 12-18 months. Those present
produced a list and Chainnan Old said that the list would be reviewed and edited at the next
meeting.
The list of initiatives is as follows:
· Develop a process to move issues through the Charter Commission and to convey information
to the Council. A related initiative was a suggestion that all issues presented to the Council be
accompanied by a -position paper". This would provide Council members with background
on why a particular issue is being considered and what the Charter Commission has learned
through study of the issue, FiDally, the paper would clearly state wby the Charter Commission
is making a recommeodation for change to the Charter.
· Convey infonnation to citizens on the City's Charter's language as it. relates to the plan
developed for the Aipel property.
· Complete the City Manager study project.
· Train members for effective advisory board participation.
· Study the Water Board.
· Redistrict Wards due to annexation.
· Orient new members.
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04/14/98 15:46 FAX 612 351 7327
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MSM ARCHITECTS S
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Chainnan Old reported that the ordinance relating to Conflict of Interest should be sent to Council
members this week. Ms. Czar agreed to prepare a "position paper" for Council members to
explain the genesis of the ordinance, study findings and reason for the recommended change. Mr.
Old and Ms. Ruch agreed to request a meeting with Mr. Thole once the paper was complete. Mr.
Thole was a part of the Committee on the Conflict of Interest policy at the suggestion of the
COW1cil.
Ms. Czar introduced a plan for completion of the City Manager study. It would be conducted in
three successive meetings. Ms. Purcell moved to begin the project in September, when new
member! an in pJ8ee. Sectmd by Ms. Czar. Unanimously adopted.
The need to :fill three pending vacancies on the Charter Commission was discussed. Ms. Maher
will try to get an article in the Gazette aDDouncing the vacancies and requesting that interested
parties contact Chainnan Old. Members suggested names of individuals who might have an
interest in serving. The Chair was asked to make some contacts to assess interest,
Ms. Purcell moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55. Seconded by Ms Maher. Unanimously adopted.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ruch