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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-18-2024 Charter Commission Minutes CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL/STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP Members present: Kathy Ahlers, Wolid Ahmed, Ramona Anderson, Larry Betzhold, Ben Harris, Bill Hugo, Carolyn Laine, Frost Simula, Gregory Sloat, Marsha Stroik, Nick Zeimet Members absent: Excused: Matt Abel, Veronica Johnson; Unexcused: Susan Wiseman Also Present: Council Liaison Rachel James 1. Appointment of Commissioner Marsha Stroik 2. Resignation of Commissioner Cliff Johnson APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Simula, second by Hugo. Motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. October 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes Motion by Ahmed, second by Anderson. Motion passed. Election of Officers 4. President, Vice President, and Secretary a. President Laine - Motion by Laine, second by Simula. Laine elected. b. Vice President Betzhold - Motion by Anderson, second by Hugo. Johnson - Motion by Ahlers, second by Simula. Betzhold elected. c. Secretary Simula - Motion by Hugo, second by Ahlers. Simula elected. CORRESPONDENCE CHARTER COMMISSION Columbia Heights City Hall, 3989 Central Ave NE, Shared Vision Thursday, January 18, 2024 7:00 PM Minutes In response to a previous question, Council Liaison Rachel James sent an email explaining how the city attorney is paid for Charter Commission work. OLD BUSINESS (None) NEW BUSINESS 5. Introduction of new Interim City Attorney Scott Lepak Lepak introduced himself and clarified that the city's retainer for his services included whatever is needed to support the Charter Commission's work. Regarding the special election on February 13, 2024, it was asked if voting ‘no’ on the first Recall question would disqualify voting on the second Replacement question. Lepak clarified that the two questions are separate, and a voter can vote as they wish on both parts. Regarding the same special election, it was asked if the official named in the first Recall question could be included in the second Replacement question as a write-in candidate. Lepak clarified that state law requires all non-primary election ballots to offer the opportunity to write in a name. However, Lepak committed to further research into whether this forms a conflict within the intent of the charter. 6. Approval of the 2023 Charter Commission Annual Report Motion to approve: Hugo, second by Anderson. Motion passes. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Ahlers, second Betzhold. Motion passes. Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm. Next meeting is April 18 at 7pm.