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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-2022 Charter Commission Minutes CHARTER COMMISSION Public Safety Building—Training Room, 825 41st Ave NE Thursday, October 20, 2022 7:00 PM AMENDED MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Charter Commission President Steve Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. ROLL CALL Members present: Matt Abel, Ramona Anderson, Kathy Ahlers, Larry Betzold, Tyler Eubank, Ben Harris, Bill Hugo, Cliff Johnson, Veronica Johnson, Carolyn Laine, Frost Simula, Gregory Sloat, Steve Smith, Susan Wiseman. Members Absent: Nick Zeimet STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP 1. Appointment of Veronica Johnson to Fill Position Left Vacant by Commissioner Schluender. Commissioner Veronica Johnson introduced herself to the Charter Commission. She is involved with the Sister City, Kiwanis, SACA, and a variety of volunteer organizations. She is very excited to be a part of the important work of the Charter Commission. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Abel, seconded by Commissioner Laine, to approve the agenda. All Ayes, motion approved unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commission Vice President Laine requested a correction on Page 2 of the July 21, 2022, meeting minutes. Commissioner Laine moved to approve the corrected minutes. Commissioner Simula seconded. All Ayes, motion approved unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE Clerk Ion stated that there was no correspondence at this time. OLD BUSINESS 2. City Council Vacancies (Chapter 2 Section 9). Commission President Smith stated that Ordinance 1681, related to shortening the appointment process when a council vacancy occurs that the Commission sent to the Council was not passed. * City of Columbia Heights MINUTES October 20, 2022 Charter Commission Page 2 The Commission has two options to move forward; update the amendment and send it back to the Council or prepare it for a vote on a ballot. Commission Vice President Laine stated that she thinks everyone on the Commission should come to the table with proposed ideas to review and discuss at a later date. She would like to table the subject until another time. Commissioner C. Johnson mentioned having two separate work groups related to the topics of the timeline and the mayor having the tie breaking vote. Commission President Smith clarified what it was that the group would like to see. Commissioner Wiseman asked how strongly the Council objected to the mayor having the tie breaking vote. Commission President Smith stated that it was more than one council member that voted against the Ordinance. Commissioner Laine stated that many Statutory Cities have this process that the mayor breaks the tie. Commissioner Harris stated that this is not necessarily the case for Charter Cities. Commissioner Smith asked if the Commission wants to hash this out tonight or reconvene after we review this later. Commissioner Ahlers feels that the Council is not fully informed on the issue. She would like to see it go to a vote on the ballot. Commissioner Wiseman would like to have the Council vote on the Ordinance again and Commissioner Abel confirmed that he would also like to see this. Commission President Smith clarified that the Council has already voted on this Ordinance. He asked the Commission about making a motion to table the discussion about amending the Ordinance or sending the issue to the public to vote on. Commissioner Wiseman made a motion to send the Ordinance back to Council for Vote or Referendum, Betzold seconded. Commissioner Ahlers stated that she would like to table the motion to a future date. Commission Vice President Laine clarified that she would also like to table the motion to a future date. Commission President Smith asked for a vote to table the motion. All Ayes, motion approved unanimously. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES October 20, 2022 Charter Commission Page 3 NEW BUSINESS Clerk Ion Stated that there was no new business at this time. ADJOURNMENT Charter Commission President Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:31pm. Respectfully Submitted _______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Recording Secretary *Minutes were amended on 1/19/2023. Commissioner Laine proposed an amendment to the last paragraph of Page 1, Section 2, Old Business. Commissioner Simula proposed striking the last sentence entirely. Commissioner Ahlers made a motion to strike the last sentence, Commissioner Harris seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.