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Charter Commission
January 8, 2009
Page 1
DATE
TIME STARTED
TIME ENDED
MEMBERS PRESENT
MEMBERS EXCUSED
MEMBERS UNEXCUSED
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
CHARTER COMMISSION
January 8, 2009
6:35 P.M.
8:44 P.M.
Aldentaler, Carlson, Dahl, Drennen,
Gunderson, Lyden, Minar, Stockman Maher,
Storberg, Sutherland, Trehus, Vacha, Williams
Bretoi, Zastrow
None
None
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Acting Chair Dahl called the regular meeting of the Lino Lakes Charter Commission to order at
6:35 p.m. on January 8, 2009.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Acting Chair Dahl added the presentation for Former Chair Duffy under approval of minutes.
MOTION by Commissioner Vacha, seconded by Commissioner Maher, to adopt the amended
agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
OPEN MIKE
No one was present for open mike.
INTRODUCE NEW MEMBER: CONNIE SUTHERLAND
Acting Chair Dahl welcomed Connie Sutherland to the Charter Commission and invited her to
introduce herself.
Commissioner Sutherland stated she moved to Lino Lakes from Stillwater three years ago and
has a seven year old daughter. She became interested in the Charter through a discovery process
and when she started researching things that came to ballot and wanted to learn more about the
Charter. She stated that through this process, she found a link that said "apply" and here she is.
She stated that she works for Boston Scientific and is passionate about teaching about heart
health. She is an active volunteer in the community.
PRESENTATION TO FORMER CHAIR CORI DUFFY
Acting Chair Dahl presented Former Chair Duffy with a card signed by the Commission and a
plaque commemorating her service on the Charter Commission.
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Charter Commission
January 8, 2009
Page 2
APPROVED
45
46 Ms. Duffy stated that she just ended up with "too much on her plate" and the Charter
47 Commission was the thing that had to go.
48
49 Acting Chair Dahl distributed copies of the annual report letter drafted by Former Chair Duffy to
50 submit to Judge Bloomquist. She noted that she would like the Commission to read through the
51 letter during the meeting so it can be approved and sent out. She stated that this process has
52 normally been completed in October.
53
54 Acting Chair Dahl stated that there is no agenda item about the audit because the Charter
55 Commission has not been formally notified in any way, so she didn't know what could be
56 discussed.
57
58 APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
59 MOTION by Commissioner Drennan, seconded by Commissioner Carlson, to approve the
60 minutes of September 10, 2008. Motion carried with Commissioner Trehus abstaining.
61
62 ANNUAL REPORT DISCUSSION
63 Commissioner Trehus stated that the annual report needs to be approved by vote and he would
64 like to time to read through it before a vote is taken.
65
66 The Commission discussed whether to include it on tonight's agenda or a future agenda.
67
68 Former Chair Duffy stated that she didn't think the report needed to be submitted in October and
69 had thought the bylaws were changed so it could be done in January.
70
71 Commissioner Trehus read aloud language from the bylaws that states the annual report for the
72 preceding year is to be submitted on or before the April meeting.
73
74 It was noted that the annual report will be added to the next agenda.
75
76 ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR DUE TO RESIGNATION OF CHAIR
77 Acting Chair Dahl noted that it has been an honor for her to serve as Chair and she is interested
78 in continuing in this role. She called for nominations for the position of Charter Commission
79 Chair.
80
81 Commissioner Lyden nominated Acting Chair Dahl to continue as chair.
82
83 Commissioner Trehus nominated Commissioner Maher for Chair and noted the importance of
84 her law background to this position.
85
86 Acting Chair Dahl called for additional nominations. Hearing none, she entertained a motion.
87
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Charter Commission
January 8, 2009
Page 3
APPROVED
88 MOTION by Commissioner Gunderson, seconded by Commissioner Carlson, to close the
89 nominations for Chair. Motion carried unanimously.
90
91 Acting Chair Dahl asked for a show of hands in support of :
92
93 Acting Chair Dahl for Chair: Commissioners Aldentaler, Drennen, Lyden, Williams, Minar,
94 Storberg, Carlson, Sutherland, Dahl and Gunderson.
95
96 Commissioner Maher for Chair: Commissioners Vacha, Trehus, and Maher.
97
98 Acting Chair Dahl was elected to serve as Chair.
99
100 Chair Dahl called for nominations for the position of Charter Commission Vice Chair.
101
102 Commissioner Drennen nominated Commissioner Maher for Vice Chair
103
104 Chair Dahl called for additional nominations. Hearing none, she entertained a motion.
105
106 MOTION by Commissioner Gunderson, seconded by Commissioner Maher to close nominations
107 for Vice Chair. Motion carried unanimously.
108
'09 Chair Dahl asked for a show of hands in support of:
110
111 Commissioner Maher for Vice Chair: Commissioners Vacha, Trehus, Aldentaler, Drennen,
112 Lyden, Williams, Minar, Maher, Storberg, Carlson, Sutherland, Gunderson and Dahl.
113
114 Commissioner Maher was elected as Vice Chair.
115
116 OLD BUSINESS
117
118 A. Communication Plan / Web Site / Public Awareness
119 Commissioner Drennen stated that the website homepage has been updated with a new picture of
120 Lino Lakes in winter. He noted that there has been a tab added for the Charter and Bylaws which
121 can be read in their entireity. He stated that a tab was added for meetings and agendas, which
122 will be updated before every meeting. He stated that there will be a tab for minutes where the
123 meeting minutes will be published, in addition to what the City may or may not do on the City
124 website. He stated that they will be adding a section talking about the audit since that is in the
125 public domain. He stated that they they felt to be completely unbiased and fair in reporting and
126 as an information source for citizens, it is important to report on the situation with the audit.
127
128 Chair Dahl pointed out that on the home page there is a counter that is up to 2,807, but noted that
129 the counter started at 1,000.
i'• 30
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Charter Commission
January 8, 2009
Page 4
APPROVED
31 Commissioner Drennen stated that if you do a Google search on the Lino Lakes Charter, we
132 show up in the number one position and noted that there have been a lot of people involved in
133 helping to make this happen. He stated that there are costs that have had private contributions,
134 which he feels need to be tallied.
135
136 Commissioner Vacha stated that these figure should be calculated and presented at the April
137 meeting.
138
139 Commissioner Drennen noted that their site can be accessed by typing either
140 www.linocharter.org or www.linocharter.com. He stated that he has about $100 into the project
141 but some of the others have $600 or so in.
142
143 Commissioner Minar stated that he would like this information tallied and a breakdown of the
144 costs and what everyone has contributed published on the website.
145
146 The Commission discussed the recent ballot question and the information distributed to citizens
147 and its costs. The Commission also discussed what the role of the Charter Commission is in
148 relation to the City and its citizens.
149
150 MOTION by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Lyden, to ask
151 Commissioner Trehus to take the information he has found on the newsletter, ballot language,
^52 and ballot question related funding to the State Attorney General or the State Auditor with the
153 intent of discovery and to bring their opinion back to the April meeting, with no intent of
154 outcome Motion carried unanimously.
155
156 B. Statement of detailed expenses incurred up to December 2008, Charter Budget
157 Balance and next year's (2009) budget
158 Chair Dahl stated that this does not require action, but is something that the Commission should
159 read.
160
161 The Commission discussed the Charter Commission budget for 2009 and whether it will be
162 increased.
163
164 NEW BUSINESS
165
166 A. Election Results on Charter Ballot Question
167 Chair Dahl noted the election summary report by precinct.
168
169 The Commission discussed the possibility of when the ballot question could be brought forward
170 again.
171
172 Commissioner Gunderson stated that this was petition driven, and her understanding is if they
,73 got another petition together, they could get it certified and hold a special election.
74
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Charter Commission
January 8, 2009
Page 5
APPROVED
75 Commissioner Carlson stated that he doesn't think they will do a special election because of the
176 cost.
177
178 B. City Council passed New Resolution 08-114 to change voting on Five Year Plan to
179 Spring of each year
180 Chair Dahl noted the letter from City Administrator Heitke included in the packet.
181
182 C. Next Meeting Date
183 Chair Dahl noted that the next Charter Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 9,
184 2009. She stated that there is a calendar that shows the dates for the Council meetings for 2009.
185
186 Commissioner Carlson stated that in the past the Commisison had always worked on the agenda
187 for the next meeting and if somebody wanted something on the agenda, they should ask for it
188 now in front of the Commission.
189
190 Commissioner Aldentaler stated that Commissioner Zastrow had asked him to discuss sending a
191 letter to the City to ask them to take care of the maintenance of the roads.
192
193 Chair Dahl stated that she will put that on next agenda. She noted that Former Chair Duffy told
194 her that the Chair set the agenda for the meetings.
195
96 Commissioner Trehus agreed that Commissioner Carlson's suggestion is a good way to do it.
197
198 Commissioner Carlson noted that the January 2008 agenda included an item to set the agenda for
199 April meeting.
200
201 Commissioner Sutherlund stated that Commissioner Trehus will need to be included on the next
202 agenda to report on his findings from the State Attorney General or State Auditor.
203
204 Commissioner Gunderson read aloud from the Bylaws, Article 2, that states the Chair shall
205 prepare agenda.
206
207 Commissioner Drennen noted that the Chair can take input from the Commission.
208
209 The next meeting of the Charter Commission will be Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
210
211 ADJOURN
212 MOTION by Commissioner Minar, seconded by Commissioner Trehus, to adjourn the meeting at
213 8:44 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
214
215
216 Respectfully Submitted,
17 Kayla Atkins-Rokosz
z18 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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