HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 18, 2007, Charter Comm MinutesOFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE
CHARTER COMMISSION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007
7:00 P.M.
GAUVITTE ROOM
MURZYN HALL
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President Mike Hartel at 7:05 p.m.
Roll Call
Members present: Bob Buboltz, Barb Gertsema, Mike Hartel, Jim Johnson, Nancy King, Carolyn Laine
(7:08 p.m.), Mike Patiuk, Joe Sturdevant, Joseph Sturdevant, Dan Vogtman
Members absent and excused: Katy Korday, Lori Ritzko
Members absent and unexcused: Scott Kyseth
Council Liaison, Tami-Ericson Diehm, Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary, and Jim Hoeft, City Attorney,
were present.
Approval of Minutes of April 19, 2007:
Motion by Commissioner Vogtman, seconded by Commissioner Sturdevant, to approve the minutes of July
19, 2007, as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence
The Recording Secretary advised that since the July meeting, she sent an e-mail to the City Attorney and
President regarding the question raised at the last meeting regarding the vote required to pass ordinances and
resolutions, as well as tonight's agenda and minutes.
Status of Membership
The Charter Commission still has two vacancies. The Recording Secretary was not aware of any applications
pending at this time.
Old Business -None
New Business
Continued Review of the City Charter by the City Attorney
The City Attorney stated that at the July meeting, Chapter 3 of the charter was discussed with commission
members. Tonight, the focus will be on Chapter 4.
The City Attorney provided the following comments on Chapter 4:
Section 13: The City Attorney stated that per State Statutes, the results of an election must be canvassed
within 7 days, not 5 like it states in our Charter. His suggestion was to change the Charter to read the
results of an election must be canvassed per State Statutes instead of changing the Charter to 7 days instead
of 5 (just in case State Statutes would ever get changed from 7 days to something else).
Charter Commission
October 18, 2007
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The City Attorney stated we would continue discussion of the charter at the next meeting, starting with
Chapter 5, Initiative and Referendum. He stated this section would probably take longer to go through,
especially the referendum part.
Commissioner Laine commented that there are some cities that are considering going from statutory cities
to charter cities. Commissioner Johnson stated that with a charter city, they can embellish on State
Statutes and how a city is run.
Annual Board/Commission Dinner
Commissioner Sturdevant asked if there would be a joint board/commission dinner again like last year.
The Recording Secretary stated that she thought there would be, no official word has been given yet.
It would probably be held in the spring, like last year.
Next Meeting Date
The next regular Charter Commission meeting date is January 17, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Murzyn Hall.
Continuation of review of the charter (Chapter 5) and election of officers will be agenda items.
Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Sturdevant, seconded by Commissioner Buboltz, to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole J. Blowers,
Recording Secretary
Charter Commission
October 18, 2007
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