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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010April15CharterCommMinutesCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES April 15, 2010 7:00 p.m. Training Room Public Safety Building 825 41 Avenue N.E. Columbia Heights, MN CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by President Dan Vogtman at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Matt Abel, Roger Johnson, Nancy King, Carolyn Laine, Michael Patiuk, Nicholas Rivers, Rachel Schwankl, Charles A. Tyler, Dan Vogtman Members absent and excused: None Members absent and unexcused: Joe Clason, Katherine Pepple Also Present: Tami Diehm, Council Liaison; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney, Carole Blowers, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion By Commissioner Patiuk, seconded by Commissioner Abel to approve the January 21, 2010, minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The following officer positions needed to be filled: Secretary, Vice President, and President. President Dan Vogtman asked if anyone was interested in being Secretary. Mike Patiuk, current Secretary, explained the duties. Rachel Schwankl stated she would be interested. After a call for more nominations, and there were none, an unanimous vote was taken to elect Rachel Schwankl as Secretary. President Dan Vogtman asked if anyone was interested in being Vice President. Rachel Schwankl, current Vice President, explained the duties. Matt Abel was asked if he would be interested, and he said he would be. After a call for more nominations, and there were none, an unanimous vote was taken to elect Matt Abel as Vice President. President Dan Vogtman asked if anyone was interested in being President. He was asked if he would like to continue as President. Mr. Vogtman stated he would be interested. After a call for more nominations, and there were none, an unanimous vote was taken to re -elect Dan Vogtman as President. CORRESPONDENCE: The Recording Secretary stated that she forwarded the Annual Report to the City Clerk and Chief Judge, as required by law. She also stated an e -mail had been received from the President of the Lino Lakes Charter Commission, Caroline Dahl, asking for contact information on our President. The intent is to allow Charter Commission chairpersons/Presidents to communicate to each other about Charter Commission issues, etc. The Recording Secretary will communicate the requested contact information to Caroline Dahl per instructions from our commission's President, Dan Vogtman. Page 1 Columbia Heights Charter Commission April 15, 2010 STATUS OF THE COMMISSION: The Recording Secretary stated we currently have 11 of 15 possible members. President Vogtman urged members to network and seek out more new members and have them apply. Applications are available at City Hall or from our website. At this time, President Vogtman asked all members to briefly introduce themselves for the benefit of our new member, Nick Rivers. OLD BUSINESS: President Vogtman stated that in reviewing old minutes, he noted that regarding Section 72, the commission had approved changes to this part of the city charter and should be forwarded soon to the City Council. President Vogtman asked the City Attorney what should be done about the change in the primary elections, as discussed at the January meeting. The City Attorney stated no action is needed tonight. The State statutes override our charter. The primary election will be held August 10 and the dates for filing for the openings for Mayor and /or Councilmembers are May 18 to June 1St Commissioner Tyler stated that the city council held their first reading regarding this issue (city code change) on April 12, 2010. The current wording states: The primary election date shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September of any year in which a municipal general election is to be held." The proposed wording states: "The primary election date shall be held on the date established by Minnesota State law." NEW BUSINESS: Discussion on Chapter 9, Eminent Domain The City Attorney explained this is like "condemnation of property ". We must follow state statutes and current court cases. He advised that we should keep Section 87 as it currently reads, but delete Sections 88 through 92. We could then add: The general laws of the state of Minnesota relative to Eminent Domain shall govern the City of Columbia Heights. Discussion was held on this; commissioners were reminded that land now acquired by a city must be for a public purpose. Motion was made by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Laine to keep Section 87 as it currently reads, but delete Sections 88 through 92. We could then add: The general laws of the state of Minnesota relative to Eminent Domain shall govern the City of Columbia Heights. Discussion on Chapter 10, Franchises The City Attorney spoke about the cable franchise that the city has. He talked about the difficulties in getting a new cable company because of the significant investment a new company would have to make. It's pretty unlikely it would happen. This is a heavily federally - regulated franchise. The City Attorney stated that Steve Guzzetta, the city's cable franchise attorney, could be invited to give an overview and address any questions the commissioners might have at a future meeting (possibly on July 15 th ) The City Attorney stated he would discuss this possibility with Linda Magee, Assistant to the City Manager/HR Director, who works with Guzzetta on the city cable franchise agreement. The City Attorney will provide members, via the Recording Secretary, with the state statutes referencing this section of the city charter. Commission members should plan to discuss Chapter 10, Franchises, more extensively at the July meeting. The Recording Secretary stated she has started a list of proposed amendments that has been discussed during the commission's review of the city charter for the past year or so. Page 2 Columbia Heights Charter Commission April 15, 2010 Community Prayer Breakfast The Recording Secretary passed out invitation flyers to commission members regarding the upcoming Community Prayer Breakfast, which will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 7 a.m. at Murzyn Hall. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Commissioner Schwankl, seconded by Commissioner Abel to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole I Blowers Recording Secretary for the Charter Commission Page 3 Columbia Heights Charter Commission April 15, 2010