HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 ANNUAL REPORT CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSIONCITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
MEMBERSHIP:
The following members served in 2021:
Matt Abel Bill Hugo Gregory Sloat
Kathy Ahlers Clifford Johnson* Steve Smith
Ramona Anderson Tom Kaiser** Frost Simula
Tyler Eubank Carolyn Laine Susan Wiseman
Ben Harris* Joe Schluender Nick Zeimet
* Commissioner Ben Harris and Clifford Johnson were appointed in March of 2021.
**Commissioner Tom Kaiser resigned following the October 2021 meeting.
Councilmember KT Jacobs served as the Council Liaison for 2021.
At the end of 2021, there were 14 Commissioners.
OFFICERS:
The following members served as officers for the Charter Commission in 2021:
President: Steve Smith
Vice President: Matt Abel
Secretary: Bill Hugo
MEETINGS:
The Charter Commission held three meetings in 2021: April 15, July 15 and October 22.
ISSUES DISCUSSED:
The Commission discussed the following issue in 2021:
Mayors Term Length:
At the April 2021 Meeting Commissioner Simula presented changing the Mayor’s term length from two years to four
years. There was a discussion about how this change was not supported by Council or Voters in 2018 and the
Commission decided not to move forward with the item at this time.
Charter Commission Legislation:
At the April 2021 Meeting Commissioner Laine stated that during the 2020 session there were changes made to
Minnesota State Statute regarding Charter Cities. These include clarification that the Chief Judge can reappoint
Charter Commission members, changing the time frame for making an appointment or reappointment to 60 days,
and changing the amount of money a Charter Commission is authorized to receive in order to educate on a charter
amendment to 0.07% of the property tax levy.
Council Vacancies:
At the April 2021 meeting, the Charter Commission continued the 2020 discussion of using special elections to fill City
Council vacancies as well as keeping an appointment process, but modifying it. During the discussion, it was determined
proposals would be drafted for both options and brought to the next meeting for consideration.
The topic of council vacancies was continued at the July 2021 meeting as well. The Commission decided to continue the
conversation to the next meeting. At the October 2021 meeting the Commission made a vote to pursue updating the
Charter regarding special elections. Commissioner Simula presented information about his proposed plan, and the
information was to be further solidified and brought to the Commission for review at the January 20, 2022 meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Recording Secretary