HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-2021 Charter Minutes ApprovedCharter
Commission
January 14, 2021
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APPROVED 1
CITY OF LINO LAKES 2
CHARTER COMMISSION 3
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DATE 7
TIME STARTED 8
TIME ENDED 9
MEMBERS PRESENT10
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MEMBERS EXCUSED 12
MEMBERS UNEXCUSED
January 14, 2021
6:30 p.m.
6:55 p.m.
Bretoi, Dahl, Damiani, Davis, Rodrieguez, Poehling,
Stanek, Trehus, and Vanderpoel
Aldentaler
None 13
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT City Clerk Julie Bartell 14
OTHERS PRESENT: None 15
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CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 18
Chair Dahl reconvened the meeting of the Lino Lakes Charter Commission at 6:30 pm on 19
January 14, 2021. 20
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 22
Chair Dahl lead the Pledge of Allegiance. 23
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SETTING THE AGENDA 25
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Agenda was accepted as presented. 27
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OPEN MIC/PUBLIC COMMENT 29
No one present opted to speak for the open mic. 30
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OLD BUSINESS 32
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A.Approval of October 8, 2020 Minutes 34
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MOTION by Commissioner Stanek, seconded by Commissioner Bretoi, approving the meeting 36
minutes of October 8, 2020 as presented/with noted changes. 37
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Motion passed (Trehus abstained). 39
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B.Legal Representation 41
Chair Dahl stated that she had nothing new to report but welcomed input from the other 42
members. 43
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Commissioner Poehling asked the purpose of continuing to look for legal representation. 45
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Charter Commission
January 14, 2020
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Chair Dahl replied that legal representation would be available to answer questions from the47
Commission. 48
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C.Open Positions on Charter Commission and Ongoing Advertising 50
Chair Dahl stated that applications have been received and are being reviewed by the Judge that 51
makes appointments. She noted that the group could potentially have three new members 52
joining in April. 53
54
The City Clerk stated that as long as there are openings on the Commission, the City will 55
continue to advertise for those positions. She stated that information is available at the front 56
desk of City Hall for interested individuals. She noted that the positions have also been 57
advertised in the City newsletter and Quad Press. 58
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D.Odd Year Elections 60
Chair Dahl stated that she spoke with the City Administrator who confirmed that this item was 61
on an agenda for the City Council previously but did not move forward. 62
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The City Clerk provided background information. She noted that the topic was suggested for 64
Council review by the Charter Commission and had been included in topics for a strategic 65
planning session that was postponed due to COVID and the activity from the past year. 66
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E.Five Year Plan Update 68
Chair Dahl stated that she also discussed this item with the City Administrator. She welcomed 69
any questions or input from the Commission. 70
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NEW BUSINESS 72
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A.State Law Amendments Impacting Charter Commissions 74
The City Clerk provided background information on the State Law amendments that she noticed 75
that impact Charter Commissions. She stated that previously the Charter Commission was 76
allowed to receive up to $1,500 annually for expenditures and that amount was allowed to 77
increase based on a certain calculation. 78
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Chair Dahl stated that the eligible amount per that calculation would be up to $6,462.66. She 80
commented that this amount would be an improvement from the previous $1,500. She stated 81
that currently the Charter Commission still is only allotted $1,500 but if the additional funds are 82
needed, the City could provide it out of its contingency fund. 83
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Commissioner Trehus commented that he believes those funds are intended to be used for 85
framing or amending the Charter and could include hiring a legal representative to assist in that 86
process. He stated that his concern is that he feels the full amount should be included in the 87
budget for the Charter Commission each year and recorded as such. 88
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Chair Dahl commented that she could ask that the funds be allocated but noted that if the funds 90
are not expended, they would go back into the general fund at the end of the year. 91
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January 14, 2020
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Commissioner Trehus stated that he would like that conversation to take place with the City93
Administrator. He stated that he would like to see the funds allocated in addition to secretarial 94
and legal fees. 95
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Commissioner Poehling commented that he believes it would be difficult to amend this year’s 97
budget because there is a lot of concern with potential shortfalls due to COVID. 98
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Chair Dahl confirmed that the funds would be included in the budget for the next year. 100
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The City Clerk stated that the budget is based on facts and known costs along with some 102
estimations, noting that the contingency is allocated for that purpose. She stated that she is 103
confident that the contingency would be available if needed. 104
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Commissioner Trehus stated that he would prefer to have the funds allocated and they could be 106
returned if not needed. He stated that going forward he would prefer to have the funds budgeted. 107
108
B.2021 Charter Commission Regular Meeting Calendar 109
Chair Dahl noted that the calendar was included in the Commission packet. 110
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C.Other 112
Chair Dahl noted that the City Administrator would like to attend the next Charter Commission 113
meeting to introduce herself. She confirmed the consensus of the Commission to formally invite 114
the City Administrator to the next meeting. 115
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NEXT MEETING DATE 117
Chair Dahl noted the next meeting date is Thursday, April 8, 2021 and will be held via Zoom. 118
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ADJOURN 120
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MOTION by Commissioner Poehling, seconded by Commissioner Damiani, to adjourn the 122
meeting at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 123
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Drafted by: Amanda Staple, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 125