HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-12 CHC MIN s water
The(Birthplace of Minnesota
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
December 12, 2016
MINUTES
Chairman Milbrandt called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
Present: Chairman Milbrandt, Commissioners Juelich, Ratte, Swanson and Sullivan;
City Attorney David Magnuson
Absent: Commissioner North, Carter, and Zoller
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Possible approval of September 19, 2016 meeting minutes
Motion by Commissioner Juelich, seconded by Commissioner Ratte,to approve the September 19,
2016 meeting minutes. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of Charter ruling in the City of Minneapolis (continued from last meeting)
City Attorney Magnuson provided background on recent Supreme Court decisions involving
petitions brought by citizens proposing amendments to the Minneapolis City Charter. He noted
that, like the Minneapolis City Charter, the Stillwater City Charter provides that the City
Council is the governing body for all legislative and policy decisions. He informed the
Commission that the Supreme Court held that a city charter amendment that is in conflict with
state law is improper; charter amendments cannot pre-empt state or federal law and cannot
incur into the legislative and policy making authority of the City Council.
City Attorney Magnuson also explained that there was a complete rewrite of the Stillwater City
Charter in the 1980s. He provided two examples of amendments that were made to the
Stillwater City Charter. One re-established the ward system and one strengthened regulations
governing the sale of City land within the viewshed of the St. Croix River, such as Kolliner
Park.
Commissioner Juelich asked if there is info that would educate the public about what would
be considered an appropriate reason to petition for an amendment; and Chairman Milbrandt
responded that in his tenure, he cannot recall any citizen raising the issue of an amendment to
the Charter.
Commissioner Ratte recalled in the past, a group proposing to make Stillwater a green city,
that wanted all plastic bags to go away - that is one example of a policy issue. The issue was
never acted upon.
Chairman Milbrandt suggested continuing the discussion at the April meeting.
Charter Commission Meeting December 12, 2016
Discussion of meeting dates for 2017
Chairman Milbrandt presented 2017 meeting dates: April 17, September 18, and December 11,
2017.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Ratte, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, to adjourn the meeting at
7:45 p.m. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Kink
Recording Secretary
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