HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-2018 MinutesMINUTES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CHARTER COMMISSION
July 19, 2018
7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL-CONFERENCE ROOM #1
Call to Order
President Steve Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call/Status of Membership
Members present: Steve Smith, Matt Abel, Kathy Ahlers, Ramona Anderson, Gregory Sloat, Frost Simula,
Carolyn Laine, Susan Wiseman, KT Jacobs, and Patrick McVary.
Members absent (excused): Frost Simula, Bill Hugo, Tom Kaiser, and Rob Fiorendino
Members absent (unexcused): Mike Patiuk
Also in attendance: City Attorney Jim Hoeft, Council Liaison Connie Buesgens, and City Clerk/Recording
Secretary Katie Bruno
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Wiseman to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Wiseman, seconded by Commissioner Abel to approve the minutes from the April
19, 2018 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence
Katie Bruno, City Clerk and President Steve Smith reported they received a request from Jeanne Massey to
provide a presentation regarding rank choice voting at tonight’s meeting. Bruno indicated that because the
request was not received prior to the posting of the agenda, the request cannot be discussed during this
meeting.
Old Business
A. Discussion of Council Appointment Process.
President Smith distributed a summarized schedule of the current appointment process for a vacant council
seat. Commissioner Laine contacted the City of Richfield, and reported that they hold a Special Election to fill
a vacancy on the council, if there are more than 180 days remaining in the term.
President Smith clarified that any proposed changes to the current charter, would not take effect for the 2018
election. Smith then asked the commission for feedback regarding the vacancy process.
Commissioner Ahlers asked if the number of council members could be increased, noting that filling a vacancy
may not be as urgent. President Smith indicated that a Special Election would be less costly. Commissioner
Laine suggested the council process could be shortened. Commissioner Ahlers asked Councilmember
Buesgens if the council had adequate time to review the applicants in 2016. Buesgens indicated that in her
opinion the process was drawn out.
Commissioner Laine shared information from Commissioner Simula, suggesting utilizing rank choice voting, for
the appointment process.
Charter Commission Meeting
July 19, 2018
Page 2 of 2
President Smith asked the commission to consider if this is something that needs to be addressed, or if our
current procedure is adequate. Commissioners Laine and Schluender suggested a Special Election option be
considered. Commissioner Abel stated his opinion that the current procedure works, noting in 2016 there
were a high number of qualified candidates. Laine indicated that the appointment process gives the council
the decision of something that should be made by the voters.
President Smith summarized that the following considerations will be discussed at the October meeting:
• Looking at the process followed by other cities; specifically Richfield.
• How is it structured?
• Have they utilized the process?
• What section of the Charter would be affected?
• The incorporation of rank choice voting, if a Special Election is held. President Smith stated rank choice
voting could be considered as an option for a Special Election, to learn more about it.
Commissioner Jacobs requested that cities used in comparisons be of similar size.
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Sloat to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectively Submitted,
____________________________________
Katie Bruno, City Clerk/Recording Secretary