HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 03-18 Packet M U-N-Di VIEW Joint Meeting of Council and Charter Commission
Charter Mounds View City Hall
Commission 6:30 PM Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Preliminary AGENDA
Chair 1. Call to Order.
Russell Warren
763-786-3591
2. Roll Call.
Vice Chair _Brian Amundsen Edeth James Matthew Meehan
Rebecca Scholl Karen Mills Jerry Peterson Gary Quick
651-503-3999 Rebecca Scholl Amber Urlacher Russell Warren
2°d Vice Chair _Zach Lindstrom _Julie Clark _ Sherry Gunn
Jerry Peterson Gary Meehlhause _Kathryn A. Smith
612-607-3953
Secretary 3. Approval of Agenda
Brian Amundsen a. Review and approve Agenda.
763-786-5699
4. Citizen Comments from the floor.
Assistant Secretary
Karen Mills �0
952-913-7774 5. Joint Business.
a. 25 min. Self introduction of each member.
Edeth James b. 35 min. Discussion of the city charter as a whole and
763-443-5655 Chapter 4 Nominations and Elections —4.05 Vacancy
Matthew Meehan appointment allowance language.
763-221-1436 6. Next Charter Commission meeting is March 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM.
Gary Quick Next Council Meeting is March 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
763-786-4631
7. Adjournment.
Amber Urlacher
612-859-9082
MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
Charter Mounds View City Hall
Commission 6:30 PM Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Preliminary AGENDA
Chair 1. Call to Order.
Russell Warren
763-786-3591
2. Roll Call.
Vice Chair _Brian Amundsen _Edeth James _Matthew Meehan
Rebecca Scholl Karen Mills Jerry Pet son Gary Quick
651-503-3999 Rebecca Scholl Amber Pet
Russell Warren
2nd Vice Chair 3. Approval of Agenda and Minut
Jerry Peterson
Jerry Peterson
a. Review and approve Agenda.
b. Review and approve January 21, Yeeting Minutes.
Secretary
Brian Amundsen 4. Citizen Comments fr the or.
763-786-5699
Assistant Secretary 5. Reports of the Ch
Karen Mills
952-913-7774 6. Reports of Members.
Secretalf R of webs e updates.
Edeth James
763-443-5655 7. Unfinished Business.
Matthew Meehan a. 20 min. Discussion of Chapter 4 Nominations and Elections —
763-221-1436 4.05 Vacancy appointment allowance language.
Gary Quick 8. New sine
763-786-4631
Amber Urlacher
Amber
Urlac 9. Next Regu ing Date. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:30 PM.
Adjour t.
Mounds View Charter Commission Minutes DRAFT
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
1. Call to Order. Regular meeting came to order at 6:31 PM.
2. Roll Call. Present: B.Amundsen, K. Mills, J. Peterson, R. Scholl,A. Urlacher, R. Warren
Excused: M. Meehan
5 Absent: E. James, G. Quick
Also present: Council Liaison Gary Meehlhause
3. Approval of Agenda and Minutes.
A.Approve Agenda.
10 Chair R. Warren introduced the Preliminary Agenda. Discussio requested. R. Scholl asked to extend
7A to 30 minutes. Chair R. Warren asked for the agenda be a ted as amended. MOTION,by R.
Scholl, and seconded,by K. Mills, to approve the agenda ended. Motion Adopted 6-0
B.Approve Minutes.
15 Chair R. Warren asked for review of the Secretary's November 19, 2024, eting Minutes. Discussion
occurred for typo's. MOTION,by B.Amundsen, and seconded,by J. P erson, to approve the Meeting
Minutes as amended. Motion Adopted 6-0
4. Citizens Comment from the Floor.
20 None presented.
5. Reports of Chair.
Chair R. Warren announced that the commissi annual report to the court was filed.
l
25 6. Reports of Members.
Secretary B.Amundsen reported that American Leg p ate of the Charter is still pending for the
website, and further, that each member received an att ance report of 2024/25 for their own tracking.
Also, B.Amundsen sent the courts record of appoint is to all members.
Commissioner J. Peterson ask for the status of "How to change the charter" document for posting on the
30 website. City attorney has reported that he was working on it, but it's not yet ready for the website.
Commissioner R. Scholl reported that when searching the website, the commission court contacts aren't
correct. She was asked to contact the city web master about a possible search function error.
f
7. Unfinished Business.
35 A. Discussion of Chapter 4 Nominadis and Elections—4.05 Vacancy appointment allowance.
Chair R. Warren requested the Secreta o provide status of this issue. B.Amundsen reported that the
Commission tabled the issue in Novem er 2024 for further discussion at this meeting. R. Scholl
reported on research and provided some materials. Discussion occurred with council liaison Gary
Meehlhause, who provided his thoughts of the Council's September 2024 discussion. The Council
40 discussion was about four items: a) expanding the list of potential persons, b)who will contact the
proposed replacement person and how much time is allowed for a response (reasonable amount of time
not to exceed one week), c) can whoever accepted be an automatic appointment, and d) what is the total
elapsed time of when the vacancy by appointment would occur. Chair R. Warren directed that the
commissions original resolution, along with the city attorney's September 19, 2024, memorandum, be
45 sent to all commissioners until this topic is settled. Chair R. Warren asked the Secretary to invite the
city attorney to the next commission meeting to clarify the city attorney's memorandum issues.
Additionally the Commission would like to ask if an election notice can be issued about an potential or
expected vacancy if a council member was running for mayors office during the council members 2
year, and does the Council have to approve any vacancy appointment?
Page 1 of 2
Mounds View Charter Commission Minutes DRAFT
5 Tuesday, January 21, 2025
50 8. New Business
A. Bylaws Elections of Officers. Chair R. Warren opened the election discussion by asking the Secretary
to read the Commission's Bylaws for electing officers. Chair R. Warren recommended that the
Commission elect each office in the order of Chair,Vice Chair, 2'Vice Chair, and Secretary. Chair R.
Warren asked if each current officer was willing to serve again. B.Amundsen stated he was willing to
55 serve, but the Commission would need to suspend the rules to allow for an extra term beyond the Bylaw
allowance, which he has now fulfilled.
MOTION, by R. Scholl, and seconded,by J. Peterson, to temporarily suspend the rules to allow a
person interested in serving a seventh term in any position on this commission. Discussion occurred.
Motion Adopted 6-0
60 Chair R. Warren opened the floor for nominations for Chair. choll nominated R. Warren as Chair. No
other nominations being made after three requests, Chair R. n declared R. Warren duly elected
4Chair,per Robert's Rules of Order when no contest is pres e it may declare the office filled.
Chair R. Warren opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair. R. Sch ominated R. Scholl as Vice
65 Chair. No other nominations being made after three requests, Chair R. W en declared R. Scholl duly
elected Vice Chair.
Chair R. Warren opened the floor for nominations for 2nd Vice Chair. J. Peterson nominated J. Peterson as
2nd Vice Chair. No other nominations being made after three requests, Chair R. Warren declared J.
70 Peterson duly elected 2nd Vice Chair
Chair R. Warren opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. R. Scholl nominated B.Amundsen as
Secretary. Discussion occurred. No other nominations being,nade after three requests, Chair R. Warren
declared B.Amundsen duly elected Secretary.
75
Secretary B.Amundsen read the Bylaws' allowance fo d duties of an Assistant Secretary. Then asked
if either of the other commissioners present ere willi to be elected. Karen Mills said she was willing
to serve in that position.
MOTION, by B.Amundsen, and seconded, y R. Scholl, that Karen Mills be designated Assistant
80 Secretary of the commission. Motion Adopted 6-0
B. Joint Meeting with Council members. Ch r R. Warren introduced a joint meeting invitation.
MOTION, by B.Amundsen, seconded, R. Scholl, that the commission send a memo of
understand that we have a joint comma ion and council meeting on March 18, 2025, at 6:30 PM.
85 Discussion occurred. Chair R. Warren as that the council put in writing their concerns.
Motion Adopted 6-0
9. Next Regular Meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Co mission is March 18, at 6:30 PM, following the joint meeting.
90 10. Adjournment: With no other items for the Commission to consider, Chair R.Warren adjourned at 7:48
PM
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Amundsen,
95 Secretary, Charter Commission of Mounds View MN
Page 2 of 2
Mounds View Charter Commission Minutes —APPROVED
Tuesday,November 19, 2024
1. Call to Order. Regular meeting came to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Roll Call. Present: B.Amundsen, E. James, M. Meehan, K. Mills, J. Peterson, G. Quick,
R. Scholl,A. Urlacher, R. Warren
Excused:
Absent:
Also present: Council Liaison Gary Meehlhause, City Administrator Nyle Zikmund,
Council member Julie Clark
3. Approval of Agenda and Minutes.
A.Approve Agenda.
Chair R. Warren introduced the Preliminary Agenda and asked for any discussion or changes. Hearing
none Chair R. Warren asked for the agenda to be adopted. MOTION,by M. Meehan, and seconded,by
A. Urlacher,to approve the agenda as presented. Motion Adopted 8-0
B.Approve Minutes.
Chair R. Warren asked for review of the Secretary's July 16, 2024, Meeting Minutes. MOTION,by G.
Quick, and seconded,by J. Peterson, to approve the Meeting Minutes as amended.
Motion Adopted 8-0
4. Citizens Comment from the Floor.
None presented.
E. James joined the meeting at 6:35 PM.
5. Reports of Chair.
Chair R. Warren welcomed new commission members Karen Mills and Amber Urlacher.
6. Reports of Members.
Secretary B.Amundsen reported that he has spoken with Barb Bensch about the city website's charter
commission information. The website has the 2023 Charter version, which is updated through 2022
amendments. Ms. Bensch is pursuing a response from American Legal of when the additional 2023
amendments will be available for posting on the website.Additionally, the site does not have the methods
for amending the charter. City Administrator Zikmund approved the Secretary work directly with Ms.
Bensch to pursue both answers.
7. Unfinished Business.
A. Status report on Resolution 2024-06 Chapter 4 Nominations and Elections—4.05 Vacancy
appointment allowance.
Chair R. Warren requested the secretary provide status on the amendment. B.Amundsen reported the
Council had taken the amendment up on 9/3/2024 and 9/23/2024 and had rejected the amendment. B.
Amundsen recommended all commission members review the video log for both meetings to
understand the reasons the amendment was not approved. There is in the packet this evening a Kennedy
and Graven Memorandum of September 19, 2024, from Joe Sathe to the Council answering some
questions the Council posed on 9/3. City Administrator Zikmund spoke to the commission that the
council was looking for clarity of language, and the council not to vote on the appointment when a
vacancy occurs but for it to be more automatic. MOTION,by R. Scholl, and seconded, by E. James,
to table further discussion until 2025 since the allotted time for this item is expired. Discussion
occurred. Motion Adopted 9-0
Page 1 of 2
Mounds View Charter Commission Minutes —APPROVED
Tuesday,November 19, 2024
8. New Business
A. Bylaws Review. Chair R. Warren asked for review of the bylaws by members. Secretary B.
Amundsen added that the bylaws are to be reviewed by the commission every two years and this fulfills
that duty. He also stated that the bylaws are available on the website, which is the current version and no
longer has the charter amendment method summary in the last section. Chair R. Warren asked if there
were any member suggestions for changes and not hearing any he would move to the next agenda item.
No suggestions were discussed. B.Amundsen added that amendments usually are proposed at one
meeting and approved at the next,to allow all members time to consider the change.
B. Chairs Annual Report to the Court. Chair R. Warren presented the report for review. J. Peterson
identified numerous spelling errors and a date error. Chair R. Warren asked if there were any other
content information the commission wished included. Not hearing any and directing the secretary to
make the needed amendments the letter will be filed with the court by end of year.
C. Resolution 2024-07 Appreciation for Dennis Erickson. Chair R. Warren presented the resolution as
an appreciation for Dennis Erickson's service on the commission over the years. B.Amundsen suggested
two amendments to properly name the commission in opening paragraph and shorten it in the second
paragraph, and change date 2019 to 2020 and asked that they be included in approving the resolution.
MOTION,by J. Peterson, and seconded,by G. Quick, to adopt resolution 2024-07 as amended.Not
hearing any further discussion. Motion Adopted 9-0
D. Resolution 2024-08 Setting 2025 Meeting Dates. Chair R. Warren asked the commission to review
the resolution and discuss the dates. Discussion that the dates were verified as being correct for the third
Tuesday of every other month by two commissioners. MOTION,by B.Amundsen, and seconded,by
R. Scholl, to adopt 2024-08 setting the 2025 meeting dates as every third Tuesday of every other
month.No discussion offered. Motion Adopted 8-0
(G. Quick had stepped out of the meeting.)
E. Correction to Commission Member list for terms served. R. Scholl asked to modify the agenda and
add a request the Secretary send a correction for terms served to the Court. She believed that B.
Amundsen is on his fifth term, although there was a partial. B.Amundsen said J. Peterson believed he
also served a partial term starting in April of his appointment year. He also said the document is the
Court's document and was unsure how they track partial versus full terms, but would contact the clerk to
make any needed corrections. R. Scholl said she just wanted to make sure service time was recognized.
9. Next Regular Meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Commission is January 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM.
Secretary B.Amundsen said he recorded two items for the next meeting, specifically election of
commission officers and discussion of council vacancy appointments.
10. Adjournment: With no other items for the Commission to consider, Motion, by R.Warren, to
adjourn. Chair R. Warren adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Amundsen,
Secretary, Charter Commission of Mounds View MN
Approved by Charter Co sion, on ovember 19, 2024.
Attesting, Brian Amundsen, Secretary, Charter Commission of Mounds View, MN
Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO.2024-06
MOUNDS VIEW CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION
Charter Commission COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Chair RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING AMENDMENT OF THE
Russell Warren MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER BY ORDINANCE
763-786-3591
Vice Chair WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View (the "City") is governed by a home
Rebecca Scholl rule charter pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 410; and
651-503-3999
WHEREAS, the City's charter commission (the "Commission") has the
2" Vice Chair authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 410.12, subdivision 7, to recommend
Jerry Peterson amendments to the City's charter; and
612-607-3953
WHEREAS, after discussion and deliberation, the Commission has
Secretary determined that Chapter 4 Nomination and Elections, Section 4.05, Subdivision 1, 4, 5
Brian Amundsen and 6 of the City's home rule charter should be amended, and it desires to recommend
763-786-5699 such amendment to the City Council; and
Dennis Erickson WHEREAS,the Commission requests that the City Council and within 30
612-270-5293 ty respond
days with any questions regarding or clarifications to the suggested amendments or if
Edeth James the City Council is not in unanimous agreement with the Commission's
763-443-5655 recommendation.
Matthew Meehan NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mounds View Charter
763-221-1436 Commission that it is recommended that sections 7.04 and 7.05 of the Mounds View
City Charter be amended by ordinance, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A 2024-
Aaron Pratt 06, to be enacted by the City Council of the City of Mounds View pursuant to
612-743-7494 Minnesota Statutes, section 410.12, subdivision 7.
Gary Quick Passed and adopted at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Mounds View Charter
763-786-4631 Commis s' on July 16, 2024.
By o�olpvlu—
Russell Warren, Chair
ATTEST:
rhaf AwfukqsLen ecretary
Resolution 2024-06 rev 20240716 page I of 4
EXHIBIT A 2024-06
ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 4.05 OF THE CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER
PERTAINING TO VACANCY OF MUNICIPAL ELECTED OFFICE
THE CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW ORDAINS:
Section 1. Background; findings; authority.
1.01. The city of Mounds View("City") is governed by a home rule charter(the"City Charter"), adopted pursuant to
the Constitution of the State of Minnesota and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 410 (the"Act").
1.02. The Mounds View Charter Commission has proposed the adoption of an amendment to section 4.05 of the City
Charter (the "Amendment") and recommended to the City Council that the Amendment be adopted by ordinance in
the manner prescribed by section 410.12, subdivision 7 of the Act.
1.03. A public hearing on the Amendment was held on , 2024 by the Mounds View City Council
after published notice containing the text of the Amendment, as required by the Act, and all persons desiring to be
heard with reference to the Amendment were heard at said public hearing.
1.04. The Mounds View City Council finds and determines that it is in the best interests of the City and its
inhabitants that the Amendment be adopted.
Section 2. Adoption: effective date; filing.
2.01 The Mounds View City Charter is hereby amended by adding the double-underlined language and deleting the
strieke language as follows:
Section 4.05
Section 4.05. Vacancy of Municipal Elected Office.
Subdivision 1 Vacancy when 365 days or more remain in term.
a. When a vacancy in an elected office of the City occurs with 365 days or more remaining in the term of
the vacated office,there shall be a special election held to elect a successor to serve for the remainder of
the unexpired term of the vacated office. The special election shall be held at the next uniform
election date specified in Minnesota Statute 205.10, subd 3a, as it may be amended from time to
time, for which all legal requirements for special elections can be met by the City. (The
determination of vacancy is found in Chapter 2, Section 2.05 Vacancies.) (Amended 2005 o 748;
2023 o 995; 2023 o 996.)
b. When a vacancy in an elected office of the City occurs with 365 days or more remaining in the
term of the vacated office and the special election date of subdivision 1 a is not within 130 days after
the date of Council's vacancy declaration. the Council, after passage of the resolutions of vacancy
and special election date. shall within 30 days and by majority vote appoint a successor using the
Resolution 2024-06 rev 20240716 page 2 of 4
method in subdivision 1 c. In case of a tie vote of the Council,the mayor shall make said appointment
by the same method as in subdivision I c. The appointed successor may continue to serve until a
successor is elected and qualifies. If none of these persons are willing to serve then the position shall
remain vacant until a special election candidate is elected and qualifies.
c. The appointment shall be made from the following commissions positions in the order listed,
unless that person is unwilling to serve or not qualified to serve: first the Mounds View Charter
Commission chair: second the Mounds View Planning Commission chair: third the Mounds View
Parks Recreation and Forestry chair, fourth the Mounds View Charter Commission vice-chair. In the
case of vacancy of the mayor term the appointed person shall serve as a member of the council and
the acting or vice mayor will continue to serve as mayor, for emergency powers,until the succesor
mayor is elected and qualifies. While serving on the council the appointed person shall be excused
from and shall not participate in their appointed commission position. The person will regain their
commission position for the remaining term of their appointment to the commission. The appointed
council position will expire when the successor is elected and qualifies
Subdivision 4. Vacancy when fewer than 365 days remain in the term.
in the ease of a vaeaney whefe there remains less than 3 65 days in the uttexpifed tem, the Gotmeil
shall by a majority vote appoint a sueeessor to server the remainder of the said term. in the ease of a
tievote of the Gotineil,the mayor shall make said appointment.
SubdivisionG
a. When a vacancy in an elected municipal office occurs where there are fewer than 365 days in the
term an '2r130-days prior to a regular municipal election date,the special election to fill the
vacancy shall coincide with the regular election. If the vacancy occurs after the
last day to file for candidacy prior to the regular election date,the notice of such vacancy shall be
published as soon as is practicable. If within the 449130-day period before a regular municipal
election,the vacancy occurs in the office of the mayor or in the office of either or both of the council
members whose seats are to be decided in the election, said vacancy shall be considered not to exist
for purposes of calling a special the election. Candidates filing a vacancy shall take office at the next
regularly scheduled council meeting following election and qualification.
b. In the case of a vacancy where there are fewer than 365 days in the term,the Council shall by a
majority vote appoint a successor by the same method as subdivision lc above to serve the remainder
f the term. In the case of a tie vote of the Council,the mayor shall make the appointment by the
same method in subdivisioin 1 c.
-(Amended 2005 o 748)
cotmeil membem, the seat shall befilled by the eattdidatefor cottiteil member with the third hig�t
vote tota�, oi; in the ease qfhvo (2) vaeaneies, the thin,4 andfow-th highest vote tota�s. 4%ere hvo (2)-
vacancies exi�f, Me eanditAate with the thiti,4 hi�g�t total shallfill the vaeaney in the office having
the longest tmexpired term. Gatididatesfilittg a vacaney shaY take office at or before the ttext
Subdivision 65. If there are insufficient numbers of candidates in a regular or special election to fill expiring
or vacated municipal officefsj,the Council shall by majority vote fill said officefs)by appointment as
defined in subdivision 1 until a successor is elected and qualifies at the next fegtt! P-§pgcial municipal
Resolution 2024-06 rev 20240716 page 3 of 4
election. In the case of a tie vote of the Council,the mayor or acting-mayor shall make said appointment
the same method of subdivision 1.
2.02. This ordinance is effective ninety (90) days after its publication, except that if within sixty (60) days after
publication a petition requesting a referendum on this ordinance, signed by the number of registered voters of the
City required by the Act is filed with the City Clerk, this ordinance will not be effective until approved by fifty-one
percent (51%) of the voters voting on the question of its adoption at an election called by the Council for that
purpose.
2.03. On the effective date of the Amendment, the City Clerk is authorized and directed to file copies of the
Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota,the Ramsey County Recorder, and the City Clerk's
office together with the certificate required by section 4 10.11 of the Act.
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Date of Publication:
Date Ordinance Takes Effect:
Zach Lindstrom, Mayor
Attest:
Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator
(SEAL)
Resolution 2024-06 rev 20240716 page 4 of 4
Fifth Street Towers
1 150 South Fifth Street,Suite 700
Minneapolis,MN 55402
(612)337-9300 telephone
aven (612)337-9310 fax
C H A R T E R E D http://www.kennedy-graven.com
Affirmative Action,Equal Opportunity Employer
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 19, 2024
TO: Mounds View City Council
Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator
FROM: Joseph L. Sathe, Assistant City Attorney
RE: Charter Amendment—Vacancies
Second Reading and Consideration of Ordinance No. 1018
BACKGROUND
On September 3, 2024, the City Council held the public hearing and first reading of a proposed
amendment to the City Charter allowing the City Council to make appointments from a specified
list to fill councilmember and mayoral vacancies.
The purpose of this memo is to provide a legal review of the amendment and provide feedback. I
have provided a high-level overview of six issues that I believe could be improved,need additional
clarity, or should be revised.
I do not recommend approving the amendment as written. Since the Council cannot change the
language in the ordinance once presented by Council, I recommend voting against approval so
revisions can be made by the Charter Commission.
I have also provided potential alternative language of the amendment that reflects some of the
items below and which the Charter Commission could use to propose an amendment by ordinance.
The enclosed has not been reviewed by the Charter Commission.
1) Process Direction—City Administrator Role
The appointment process is well described in the amendment. I suggest being more specific about
the process and explicitly include that the City Administrator is to reach out to the list of potential
appointees and present the first person who is willing to serve on the Council and qualifies.
MU210\4\977140.v1-9/19/24
2) Remaining on Appointed Board
The amendment includes a list of eligible individuals who could be appointed to a vacancy from
certain city commissions. The language provides that when serving on the council, the individual
will retain their commission seat but shall be excused from and not participate in the commission.
There should be no conflict for Charter Commission members or Parks, Rec. and Forestry
Commission,but the city code criteria provides that Planning Commission members are appointed
"from the resident population of the city, other than persons elected to a public body." City Code,
section 33.002.
Use of the phrase "elected" could be interpreted to exclude an"appointment"to the City Council.
My recommendation is to have the City Council provide direction on whether it wants to allow a
person to serve on the Planning Commission and on the City Council and then revise the City Code
and/or request a revision to the amendment, as necessary.
3) Additional Revisions to Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of the Charter establishes the "Form of Government". The following two points are
recommendations for the Charter Commission that could be considered along with revisions to
Section 4.05:
• Section 2.04 establishes what offices members of the council may not hold while on the
council ("any municipal office or employment through the City other than that to which
elected") — I recommend clarifying that appointment to an advisory board or commission
is not considered an"incompatible office".
• Section 2.05 describes when a vacancy occurs — I recommend amending this section to
reference Section 4.05 and making appointments.
4) Mayor Duties
The amendment language provides: In the case of vacancy of the mayor term the appointed person
shall serve as a member of the council and the acting or vice mayor will continue to serve as mayor,
for emergency powers,until the successor mayor is elected and qualifies.
The Mayor is the ceremonial head of government with limited official duties. However, three
official duties include that "[a] local emergency may be declared only by the mayor of a
municipality ... or their legal successors"; every ordinance adopted and must be signed by the
Mayor; and certain agreements binding the City are signed by the Mayor.
The Acting Mayor acts as the Mayor"during the disability or absence of the Mayor or, in the case
of vacancy in the office of Mayor, until a successor has been appointed and qualifies." Having a
person in the office of the Mayor who is available and able to serve, but having an Acting Mayor
performing official duties would, at minimum,be unique and could lead to confusion and conflict.
2
Particularly because of the statutory language on declaring local emergencies, I recommend the
language be revised or removed.
Serving as "chair" of the City Council under rules of procedure is not an official duty and the
Council could choose to have any other member of the Council chair meetings by motion or
resolution if desired. This would not require an amendment to the Charter.
5) Appointments Near Regular Election
The current code and amendment language provide that if a vacancy is declared in the office of a
member of the council within 120/130 days, respectively, of a general city election, and the last
day to file for office has passed, then there shall be no appointment made prior to the election but
the successful candidate shall be appointed to serve the remainder of the term.
Since two members of the council are on the ballot at a general municipal election, I recommend
amending the language to provide that if the vacancy is in a council seat that is up for election,the
candidate receiving the most votes will be appointed to serve the remainder of the term.
6) Voting Threshold
Almost all Council actions require three affirmative votes pursuant to the Charter. Given that the
appointment will be taking place when the Council is already down at least one member and the
language is not intended to provide Council with discretion in making the appointment, I
recommend lowering the voting threshold to a simple majority of members of the Council voting
on the appointment to make the process simpler to accomplish.A quorum would still be necessary.
7) Repeal and Replace—Alternative Language
Enclosed is draft language that could be proposed by the Charter Commission that is in the form
of a repeal and replace the entire Chapter 4. The current amendment does a good job of presenting
the information in an amendment format, but, given the number of revisions, I recommend a full
repeal and replace of Chapter 4 to make review and approval easier. The enclosed draft of a repeal
and replace has not been reviewed by the Charter Commission and would be subject to change
based on Charter Commission direction.
8) Next Steps
If the Council desires to see any revisions,corrections,or clarifications to the proposed amendment
language, it should vote against adopting the amendment by ordinance.Amending the Charter by
ordinance requires unanimous council approval, so without five votes, the action would fail and
the amendment process would stop.The Charter Commission could then propose a new ordinance,
that could take the form of the enclosed or whatever form the Charter Commission chooses.
Council should not take any official action on the enclosed draft potential alternative, but can
provide feedback as part of a collaborative process to amend the Charter.The Charter Commission
has a regular meeting in November that the Council could consider in December-January.
3
Exhibit A-Potential Alternative Language
Section 4.05 Vacancy in Municipal Elected Office
Subdivision 1. Vacancy and 365 days or more remain in term. The following timelines shall
be followed when addressing a vacancy in an elected office of the City that occurs with 365 days
or more remaining in the term of the vacated office:
a. The vacancy will be filled at the next uniform election date specified in Minnesota
Statutes, section 205.10, subd. 3a, for which all legal requirements for special elections
can be met by the City.
b. If the date of the vacancy is more than 130 days from the date of the next eligible election
the City Council must follow the appointment process in this Section 4.05 to fill the
vacancy. No appointment may be made if the next eligible special election date is 130 or
fewer days from the date of the vacancy.
Subdivision 2. Vacancy and less than 365 days remain in the term. The following timelines
shall be followed when addressing a vacancy in an elected office of the City that occurs with less
than 365 days remaining in the term of the vacated office:
a. If the date of the vacancy is more than 130 days before the regular municipal election,
then the vacancy shall be filled by appointment following the appointment process in this
Section 4.05.
b. If the date of the vacancy is 130 or fewer days before the regular municipal election at
which the vacant seat is up for election, then the vacancy shall remain until the results of
the election are canvased by the City Council. The individual receiving the most votes at
the election shall be appointed to fill the remainder of the term.
Subdivision 3.Appointment
If, pursuant to subdivisions 1-2(a), the City Council may appoint an individual to fill a vacancy,
the following process must be used:
a. The Council declares a vacancy via resolution.
b. Within 30 days of the date of the vacancy, the City Administrator shall present an
individual from the list in Subdivision 3 (d) to the City Council for appointment using the
process described in this Subdivision 3.
c. The City Administrator shall contact the individuals in the order of the list provided in
Subdivision 3 (d),beginning with the Chair of the Mounds View Charter Commission,
and determine if that person is willing and qualified to serve as a member of the City
Council. If the person is not willing or is not qualified, the City Administrator will move
on to the next person. If no person on the list is willing and qualified, then the vacancy
shall remain unfilled until the appropriate election is held.
4
d. The following is the list of individuals that may be presented for appointment to fill a
vacancy:
i. Chair of the Mounds View Charter Commission
ii. Chair of the Mounds View Planning Commission
iii. Chair of the Mounds View Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commission
iv. Vice Chair of the Mounds View Charter Commission
e. If an individual on the list is qualified and willing to serve, the City Administrator will
present that individual to the City Council for appointment to fill the vacancy.
f. A majority of members of the City Council voting on the appointment are necessary to
make the appointment. If there is a tie vote, the Mayor shall make the appointment of the
individual presented to the City Council for appointment.
g. A person appointed under this Section 4.05 is not required to vacate their commission seat
but will be excused from all meetings and may not participate in the commission until they
are no longer serving as a member of the City Council.
Subdivision 4. Special Election to Fill Vacancy.
a. The City Administrator shall give at least sixty days published prior notice of the date of
the special election and such notice shall comply with all notice requirements under
Minnesota Statutes, section 205.16.
b. The procedure at such election and assumption of duties of elected officers following
such election shall conform as nearly as practicable to that prescribed for other municipal
elections under this Charter.
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MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION MEMBERS
Updated January 28, 2025
City Name Address/Email/Phone Term(s) Term(s) Served
Precinct
3 Brian R.Amundsen 3048 Woodale Drive 10/31/2002— 10/31/2006 First Full Term
(Secretary) Mounds View, MN 55112 1/15/2009— 10/31/2012 Partial Term
bvamundsen(a�yahoo.com 10/31/2012— 10/31/2016 First Full Term
763-786-5699-Preferred 10/31/2016—10/31/2020 Second Full Term
612-963-8871-Cell 10/31/2020— 10/31/2024 Third Full Term
10/31/2024— 10/31/2028 Fourth Full Term
2 Amber R. Urlacher 5406 Adams Street 10/31/2024— 10/31/2028 First Full Term
Mounds View, MN 55112
amber(@_grantiohnson.com
(612) 859-9082
1 Russell A. Warren 8044 Greenwood Drive 10/31/1994— 10/31/1998 First Full Term
(Chair) Mounds View, MN 55112 4/26/2018— 10/31/2020 Partial Term
russellawarren(a)_gmail.com 10/31/2020— 10/31/2024 First Full Term
763-786-3591-Home 10/31/2024— 10/31/2028 Second Full Term
1 Jerry Peterson 8125 Red Oak Drive 04/07/2016— 10/31/2016 Partial Term
(2"d Vice Chair) Mounds View, MN 55112 10/31/2016— 10/31/2020 First Full Term
Jerry.Peterson(cD-Q.com 10/31/2020— 10/31/2024 Second Full Term
612-607-3953-Cell 10/31/2024— 10/31/2028 Third Full Term
1 Gary C. Quick 7735 Silver Lake Road #307 10/31/2020— 10/31/2024 First Full Term
Mounds View, MN 55112 10/31/2024— 10/31/2028 Second Full Term
gary.guick .gmail.com
612-716-0217-Cell
763-786-4631-Other
3 Edeth O. James 2390 Mounds View Blvd., #134 10/31/2022— 10/31/2026 First Full Term
Mounds View, MN 55112
Edethola(awahoo.com
763-443-5655
2 Matthew W. Meehan 2382 Pinewood Circle 10/31/2022— 10/31/2026 First Full Term
Mounds View, MN 55112
Meehan2382(cDgmail.com
763-221-1436
3 Karen S. Mills 2280 Knoll Drive 10/31/2024— 10/31/2026 First Partial Term
(Assistant Secretary) Mounds View, MN 55112
karensuz@gmail.com
952-913-7774
2 Rebecca J. R. Scholl 2467 Hillview Road 10/31/2018— 10/31/2022 First Full Term
(Vice Chair) Mounds View, MN 55112 10/31/2022— 10/31/2026 Second Full Term
d rschol I(a�yahoo.com
651-503-3999-Cell
763-780-5365-Other
MOUNDS VIEW 11
Second Judicial District Court Staff Contact
Sara Grewing, Chief Judge 651-266-5154
Second Judicial District
1010 Courthouse
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102
Laura Stevens, Probate Registrar 651-266-8148
Ramsey County Probate Court
170 Courthouse
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102
laura.stevens(cD-courts.state.mn.us
MOUNDS VIEW 12