HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 26, 2006, Minutes
City of Columbia Heights Charter Commission
Minutes from Special Meeting
Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 7:00pm
Gauvitte Room - Murzyn Hall
1. Meeting Called to order at 7:04 pm by President Hartel.
2. Roll Taken by Secretary Dan Vogtman.
Present: Bob Buboltz, Mike Hartel, Jim Johnson, Kathleen Korday, Carolyn Laine,
Mike Patiuk, Lori Ritzko, Joe Sturdevant, Joseph Sturdevant, Dan Vogtman
Absent Excused: Nicole Druckrey
Absent Unexcused: Barb Gertsema, Nancy King, Scott Kyseth
Also Present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney. City Council Member Bruce Nawrocki
3. Approval of minutes from 4/20/06 tabled until next meeting.
4. Old Business
A. Second Reading of proposed wording for Implementation of Wards
Discussion on the reading: President Hartel summarized the changes made, and discussed that
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we had read, and approved the 1 reading of the change. The change was the removal of the
last sentence of section 7a.
Councilmember Nawrocki asked why wait until 2010 to implement the system in whole.
Commissioner Laine, Commissioner Joe Sturdevant, Commissioner Vogtman, and President
Hartel discussed the logic behind the implementation schedule. Councilmember Nawrocki was
concerned two people from the same ward may have to compete.
Councilmember Nawrocki inquired if this implementation schedule was for the benefit of the
existing Council, or the voters. It was discussed by various Commissioners with
Councilmember Nawrocki that by staggering the Ward/At-Large positions, it would be easier
to communicate to the voters. Additionally, various Commissioners made the point that this
transition schedule would align with upcoming term expirations, so it would allow
Councilmembers voted in in 2006 to serve full 4 year terms.
Councilmember Nawrocki also mentioned with all the changes in the city, populations would
be constantly changing. He mentioned being able to use the Met Council population surveys
as a way to change districts. President Hartel offered that in the wording, this is addressed and
the wording allows for changes to be made after Federal Census counts.
Councilmember Nawrocki also inquired about the legal timetable based on Minnesota Statutes
and quoted a statute. City Attorney Hoeft mentioned that that statute did not apply in this
situation. Hoeft said this was discussed at previous Charter Commission meetings, and was
also discussed at a previous City Council meeting. He said the Charter Commission controls
the timetable, and if the body does not feel the City Council is acting in a timely manner, then
the Commission body can take action to move it to a vote by the voters.
There was additional discussion about Councilmember Nawrocki’s concerns with the language
and philosophy. He mentioned that he was concerned about the added cost to the voters of
having an additional two Councilmembers.
Motion was mad by Commissioner Johnson to approve the Second Reading of the Language,
Seconded by Bob Buboltz.
Ayes 10, Nays 0, Abstentions 0 by voice vote
5. No New Business
6. Next Regular Meeting in July, or possibly earlier at discretion of President Hartel.
7. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Joseph Sturdevant, Seconded by Bob Buboltz.
Ayes 10, Nays 0, Abstentions 0 by voice vote
Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Vogtman
Secretary