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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-1979 MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1979 I. Meeting called to order by Chairman, Bill Doty, at 7:40 P.M. II. ABSENT MEMBERS: Lowell Nygaard James H. Wills William Werner, Sr. Curtis M. Schmidt III. Minutes of meeting held on December 4, 1978, read by Secretary, Ruth White. Motion made by Duane McCarty and seconded by Milan Illig that the Minutes be approved as read. Carried unanimously. IV. Annual Report to Ramsey County District Court dated December 29, 1978, read to the Commission by Secretary. (Copy attached. ) V. In the absence of Curt Schmidt, Chairman of the General Plans & Purposes Committee, Neil Loeding reported on the meeting held on Wednesday, December 13, 1978. (Copy of unapproved Minutes attached. ) VI. NEW BUSINESS • 1. Carol Ziebarth suggested that the Petition requesting the formation of a Charter Commission for Home Rule government be available for the public to see. Duane McCarty indicated that a copy of the original Petition will be made available at City Hall. 2. Motion made by Duane McCarty and seconded by Carol Ziebarth that there be a combined meeting of the Charter Commission and General Plans and Purposes Committee on Wednesday, January 31, 1979, at 7:30 P.M. , with an Agenda Meeting preceding at 7:00 P.M. Carried unanimously. 3. Motion made by, Neil Loeding and seconded by Milan Illig that the third Wednesday of each month be established as the regular meeting date for the Charter Commission beginning the month of February, such meetings to be held at the City H all at 7:30 P.M., with an Agenda Meeting pre- ceding at 7:00 P.M. Carried unanimously. 4. Chairman Doty requested that each chairman of each sub-committee of the General Plans & Purposes Committee call a meeting of their respective sub-committee prior to the next meeting of the Commission on January 31, 1979, and be prepared to make a progress report to the Commission. 5. Motion made by Duane McCarty and seconded by Walter Skiba that the regular meeting of the commission be adjourned in order to hear our guest speaker from the League of Minnesota Cities, Mr. Stanley Peskar. • MV Charter Commission - Minutes - (continued) (2) VI. NEW BUSINESS - continued 6. Mr. Peskar was introduced to the Commission members and other guests at the meeting by Chairman, Bill Doty. The following guests were also recognized and introduced: Charlotte Forslund - City Councilmember Donald Hodges - City Councilmember Gordon Ziebarth - City Councilmember Judy Rowley - City Councilmember Isabelle Wille - representative of the MV League of Women Voters 7. A few salient points made by Mr. Peskar were: a) One big advantage of Charter Government is that whenever local changes are desired or needed, action can be done immediately instead of waiting for the slow process of legislative action. b) A City Charter can be formed to fit the needs of its own distinctive character. c) The language of the City Charter should be in simple terms - not too cumbersome so as to hinder the progress of the city. Ordinances can be" made to fill in necessary detail. d) Tax and debt limits can be included in a City Charter. e) The cost of government under a City Charter need not be any greater than under statutory form. f) Initiative, Referendum and Recall are common reasons for adopting a City Charter. g) The majority of the Home Rule Charter cities in Minnesota have the Mayor-Council form. h) A Commission form is suitable in a small town which lacks professional staff. i) A Ward system is not advisable for a small city, unless there are natural divisions that need to be accommodated. j) The Charter Commission is a permanent body. Once a Charter has been set up for a City, the Commissions function is to continue to study the local charter and government, and make changes where and when necessary. However, a Home Rule Charter can be abandoned. This is accomplished in the same manner as used in forming a Charter form of government. 411 MV Charter Commission - Minutes - (continued) Page (3) VI. NEW BUSINESS - continued 7. k) The League of Minnesota Cities will review without charge a Charter draft or sections of a charter draft, and stand ready to assist in any way they can. 1) The League has a library of City Charters and recommended for our review the Charter of the City of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and offered to mail us a copy for our use. m) The Commission was cautioned to settle on broad objectives, don't try for originality, don't rush, but keep moving. 8. Mr. Peskar completed his presentation at 9:55 P.M. , and Chairman Doty reconvened the regular meeting. 9. The chairman commented on the Commission membership of Jim Wills. He stated that Mr. Wills was very much interested in remaining a member of the Commission, and that he was not present this evening because of being out-of-town. That he did inadvertently show up for a meeting on December 20, 1978, which was the meeting of the Executive • Committee Only. That Mr. Wills is out-of-town a great deal, however, it is his intent, whenever possible, to get a substitute to take his place so he can attend regular meetings. The chairman expressed the feeling that Mr. Wills could be of great help to us in drafting a Charter because of his legal expertise. 10. The chairman solicited the views of the city council members present. Councilmembers Ziebarth, Hodges and Rowley made a few comments. It appeared to be the concensus of the councilmembers that the Commission should not be hasty in making drastic changes in present city government, but rather make a thorough study of what is in effect now, and perhaps much-of what there is can and should be retained that perhaps only minor changes need be made. 11. Motion made by Dick Lykke and seconded by Walter Skiba that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. • Ruth ite Secretary rw Attach.