HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2019 Charter Commission Packet
Mayor
Donna Schmitt
Councilmembers
Robert A. Williams
John Murzyn, Jr.
Connie Buesgens
Nick Novitsky
City Manager
Kelli Bourgeois
City of Columbia Heights
590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600
Visit our website at: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for disabled persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 48 hours in
advance. Please contact the City Clerk at 763-706-3611 or kbruno@columbiaheightsmn.gov, to make arrangements.
* A QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL MAY BE PRESENT
Meeting of the Charter Commission January 17, 2019 7 pm City Hall-Conference Room 1
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call/Status of Membership
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval Minutes of October 18, 2018
5. Election of Officers
A. President
B. Vice President
C. Secretary
6. Correspondence
7. Old Business
8. New Business
A. Approve the 2018 Charter Commission Annual Report
9. Adjournment
Next Meeting Date: April 18, 2019 at 7:00 P.M., City Hall Conference Room 1
MINUTES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CHARTER COMMISSION
October 18, 2018
7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL-CONFERENCE ROOM #1
Call to Order
President Steve Smith called the meeting to order at 7 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, Patrick McVary, Tom Kaiser, Joe Schluender, and Rob Fiorendino
Members absent (excused): Bill Hugo, 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 Fiorendino, seconded by Commissioner Abel to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Wiseman to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2018
meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence
City Clerk Katie Bruno read a resignation letter submitted by Commissioner Patiuk.
Old Business
A. Discussion of Council Appointment Process
President Smith encouraged the group to watch the process carefully in the event the upcoming Election creates a
vacancy. Commissioner Simula indicated he would like to discuss the process to follow in the event of a tie. President
Smith said that will be looked at in the future, along with any other changes.
New Business
A. Discussion of Rank Choice Voting
President Smith reported that he has reached out to the Anoka County Elections Manager and City Clerks from Richfield
and Duluth. The city of Richfield determined it was too costly. Duluth put the question on the ballot; where it failed
greatly. Smith indicated that he was informed by Anoka County that utilizing rank choice voting is very expensive.
Commissioner Ahlers indicated that Minneapolis and St. Paul use rank choice voting for their municipal elections.
President Smith clarified that Minneapolis and St Paul hold odd year elections. Smith suggested members continue to
research the process if they have questions.
Motion by Commissioner McVary, seconded by Commissioner Sloat to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm
Respectively Submitted,
___________________________________
Katie Bruno, City Clerk/Recording Secretary
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION
2018 ANNUAL REPORT
MEMBERSHIP:
The following members served in 2018:
Matt Abel Bill Hugo* Patrick McVary* Gregory Sloat
Kathy Ahlers* KT Jacobs* Mike Patiuk (resigned) Steve Smith
Ramona Anderson Roger Johnson (resigned) Eric Penniston (resigned) Susan Wiseman
Rob Fiorendino Tom Kaiser Joe Schluender*
James Guy (resigned) Carolyn Laine Frost Simula
*Appointed in 2018
Councilmember Connie Buesgens served as the Council Liaison for 2018.
Currently there are 14 commissioners. Four applications were submitted to Judge Douglas Meslow on December
31, 2018 for consideration.
OFFICERS:
The following members served as officers for the Charter Commission in 2018:
President: Steve Smith
Vice President: Matt Abel
Secretary: Eric Penniston
MEETINGS:
The Charter Commission held five meetings in 2018. Four regularly scheduled meetings on January 19, April 20,
July 20, and October 26, and one Special meeting on June 28, 2018.
ISSUES DISCUSSED:
The Commission discussed the following issues in 2018:
Review of Chapter 2-Section 7; Elective offices
The commission first considered language that would change the Mayor’s term from two years to four years in July
of 2017. The council considered the ordinance at their February 12th meeting, the item failed. The Charter
commission voted (7-2) to place the item on the November ballot. The question failed; there was no change made
to the Charter.
Review of Chapter 2-Sections 10 (The Mayor) and 53 (Powers and Duties of the City Manager)
The commission first considered language that would change the management of the Police Department from the
Mayor to the City Manager in July of 2017. There were additional revisions to the language in 2017 and 2018.
At the April 19, 2018 meeting the second reading was approved and sent to the City Council for consideration. The
council considered the ordinance at their June 11th meeting, the item failed. The Charter commission held a special
meeting on June 28th where they voted (8-4) to place the item on the November ballot. The question failed; there
was no change made to the Charter
Council Appointment Process
Commission Simula requested this item be revisited. President Smith reported that he reached out to other
communities; and learned the appointment process is similar in most cities. Smith suggested that if the upcoming
election warrants another appointment, to watch the process carefully, taking note of areas of concern.
Discussion of Rank Choice Voting
Commissioner Ahlers initially brought the request to the commission to look into rank choice voting. President
Smith reported that he has reached out to the Anoka County Elections Manager and City Clerks from Richfield and
Duluth. Smith reported that Anoka County informed him that there are multiple issues with rank choice voting,
including costs, changing of election schedule and staffing. Neither of the two cities utilizes rank choice voting for
various reasons.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Katie Bruno, City Clerk/Recording Secretary