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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012Apr19CharterCommMinutesMEETING OF THE CHARTER COMMISSION THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 1 COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Call to Order The meeting was called to order by President Steve Smith at 7:03 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Matt Abel, Lee Bak, Jeff Diehm, Roger Johnson, Mike Patiuk, Rachel Schwankl, Greg Sloat, Steve Smith, Charles Tyler, Tim Utz Members absent and excused: Nancy King, Carolyn Laine, Nicholas Rivers Members absent and unexcused: Nick Jentsch, Katherine Pepple Approval of Tonight's A eg nda Motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Approval of Charter Commission Minutes Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the Charter Commission of January 19, 2012. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Utz asked that his vote be recorded as "yes" on this vote. Correspondence The Recording Secretary reported correspondence since last meeting in January. Old Business As Carolyn Laine was still in legislative session, Charles Tyler reported on her behalf that HF 2107 amending MN State Statutes 410.06, Charter Commission Compensation/Expenses hasn't really gone anywhere since January. New Business President Smith stated that the Charter Commission has received a request from the City Clerk to amend Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, and to hold a first reading of the proposed ordinance tonight. This request is regarding the counting /recording of write -in ballots. The proposed ordinance calls for the addition of the following language as a new Section 33: Section 33. WRITE -IN CANDIDATES. A write -in candidate who wants their write -in votes to be counted in the general election must file a written request with the City Clerk no later than seven (7) days before the general election. All write -in votes cast for candidates who have not filed a written request to have these votes counted shall be treated collectively as votes for a single candidate. This information was provided to members in advance of tonight's meeting. Discussion ensued. President Smith indicated that this ordinance change would save time for staff working on the elections. The City of Blaine has already passed this change to their city charter, which was suggested by the county. Commissioner Sloat asked how does anyone know if someone "wants to be a write -in candidate "? This is the democratic process. Attorney Jim Hoeft stated that this would not restrict anyone from still voting for whoever they want, write -in or not. If the total number of unregistered write -in votes exceeds the number of qualified, registered votes, the write -in votes will be separated and counted. Otherwise, election staff would not have to write down each and every write -in name and number of votes received. He clarified for Commissioner Utz that the proposed ordinance change would affect our city only. It's just that the counting /recording of the write -in votes would be different if this ordinance is passed. Less than one percent of the total votes are write -ins. All votes are tallied and then sent to the county. Commissioner Johnson stated, and Commissioner Bak agreed, that the election judges report to work that day at 5:30 a.m., and are there until the polls close at 8 p.m. Then they start counting the write -in ballots, which could take up to a half an hour or so. Commissioner Schwankl felt that clearer wording should be inserted regarding the votes of a write in candidate who receives a high amount of votes could possibly win the election. The City Attorney felt the wording provided was fine the way it was presented. President Smith stated that if we pass this proposed ordinance tonight, and then hold a second reading at a special meeting in May, then the City Council could hold their first reading on July 9 and their second reading on July 23, and it would be effective in 90 days —in time for the upcoming elections. Motion was made by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the first reading of the proposed ordinance regarding Chapter 4, as stated above, and to hold a second reading at a special meeting in May. Motion passed, 8 yes, 2 no; Commissioner Sloat requested his no vote be recorded. Commissioner Utz requested his yes vote be recorded. President Smith advised that the City Clerk can be present at the special meeting in May if the commission would like her to be. Set Special Charter Commission Meeting in n May President Smith asked members when they would prefer to meet in May to have the second reading of this above ordinance. It was decided to meet on Thursday, May 10th, at 7 p.m. at City Hall, Conference Room 1. Other New Business The Recording Secretary passed out the revised Rules of Procedure to members. She also mentioned that the Community Prayer Breakfast is coming up on May 9, 2012. Flyers on that event were available to anyone who wanted them. Adi ourninent Motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carole J. Blowers Recording Secretary to the Charter Commission