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CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CHARTER COMMISSION
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
MEMBERSHIP:
The following members served in 2024:
Matt Abel Ben Harris Frost Simula
Kathy Ahlers Bill Hugo Gregory Sloat
Wolid Ahmed Leo James Marsha Stroik
Ramona Anderson Veronica Johnson Susan Wiseman
Larry Betzold Carolyn Laine Nick Zeimet
Christine Brown Julie Rose
During 2024, Commissioners Sue Wiseman, Larry Betzold, Carolyn Laine, Frost Simula, and Matt Abel
were reappointed.
Commissioner Nick Zeimet did not reapply in May, and Commissioner Ramona Anderson did not reapply
in June.
Commissioner Christine Brown was appointed in March, Commissioner Julie Rose was appointed in
June, and Commissioner Leo James was appointed in August.
Councilmember Rachel James served as the Council Liaison.
OFFICERS:
The following members served as officers for the Charter Commission in 2024:
President: Carolyn Laine Vice-President: Larry Betzold Secretary: Frost Simula
MEETINGS:
The Charter Commission held four meetings in 2024: January 18, April 18, July 18, and October 17.
ISSUES DISCUSSED:
The Commission discussed the following issues in 2024:
Changes to Chapter 5, Sections 47-51, Recall Elections
Possible changes were briefly considered in the April meeting; however, the Commission waited until
the MN Supreme Court published their written opinion regarding their decision to disallow the recall
election that had been set for February 2024. In October, the Commission discussed possible changes in
the language, including adding the need to meet malfeasance or nonfeasance, state that petition
signatures must be from actively registered voters, and decide whether an election to replace a
removed officer occur at the same time as the recall election or the vacancy be filled as provided for in
the Charter.
_____________________________
Carolyn Laine, Commission President