HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-21 CHC MIN -
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CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES
February 21, 2011 Meeting
Present: Orwin Carter, Chair
Ann McClellan, Wally Milbrandt, Dwayne Nelson, Kim Swanson and Terry
Zoller
Absent: Gene Bealka, Dorothy Molstad and Ron Nelson
Mr. Carter called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Mr. Milbrandt, seconded by Ms. Swanson,to approve the minutes of November 15,
2010. Motion passed unanimously.
MEETING DATES
It was agreed to the scheduled meeting dates for 2011 as listed in the agenda packet: May 16,
August 15 and November 21.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Running for mayor and council in the same election — Mr. Carter reported that this is
prohibited by state statute. A candidate must certify he/she is not running for any other
office when filing for candidacy. Mr. Milbrandt indicated that a possible solution to the
concern, expressed by Mr. Zoller in the previous discussion of this issue, is changing the
term of the mayor to two or six years. Ms. McClellan stated that she thought it would be
more equitable to look further into this issue to put the Wards on an equal basis. It was
suggested that if the mayoral term was changed to six years, consideration could also be
given to term limits. In discussion, it was noted that typically mayors in Stillwater serve
at least two terms. It was agreed it would be good to look at what other communities are
doing in this regard and ask that Mr. Magnuson re-send the research information he had
sent to Mr. Zoller.
NEW BUSINESS
• Ms. McClellan talked about the requirement to clean sidewalks within 24 hours of a
snowfall/ice event. She noted with this season's heavy snowfalls, it is extremely difficult
to meet that requirement; she suggested looking into changing some of the ordinance
requirements. Mr. Carter noted that is a Council issue, not a Charter issue. Mr.
Milbrandt spoke of normal City procedure in instances of property owners who don't
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meet ordinance requirements. Mr. Zoller suggested that this concern should be expressed
directly to the property owner's Council representative.
• There was discussion about membership and absences on various Commissions. It was
agreed to asked Clerk Ward if there is anything in the Charter regarding membership and
absences. Mr. Milbrandt noted the Charter Commission could write a provision
regarding membership if there is none.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Zoller, seconded by Ms. McClellan, to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Baker
Recording Secretary
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