HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 01-20 PacketCharter
Commission
Chair
Russell Warren
763-786-3591
Vice Chair
Rebecca Scholl
651-503-3999
2nd Vice Chair
Jerry Peterson
612-607-3953
Secretary
Brian Amundsen
763-786-5699
Assistant Secretary
Karen Mills
952-913-7774
Edeth James
763-443-5655
Gary Quick
763-786-4631
Amber Urlacher
612-859-9082
CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING
Mounds View City Hall
6:30 PM Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Preliminary AGENDA
1.Call to Order.
2.Roll Call.
__ Brian Amundsen __ Edeth James __
__ Karen Mills __ Jerry Peterson __ Gary Quick
__ Rebecca Scholl __ Amber Urlacher __ Russell Warren
3.Approval of Agenda and Minutes.
a.Review Agenda.
b.Review November 18, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
4.Citizen Comments from the floor.
5.Reports of the Chair.
6.Reports of Members.
7.Unfinished Business.
a.20 min. Discussion of Chapter 7 Taxation and Finances for
general levy caps in relation to street and park financing.
b.20 min. Chapter 2 Form of Government, Section 2.07 Council
salary.
8.New Business.
a.10 min. Review of Commission By-Laws.
b.20 min. Resolution 2026-01 Reaffirm Chapter 4 Nominations and
Elections – 4.05 Vacancy appointment allowance.
9.Next Regular Meeting Date. Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM.
10.Adjournment.
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Mounds View Charter Commission Minutes — DRAFT
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
1.Call to Order. Regular meeting came to order at 6:36 PM.
2.Roll Call. Present: B. Amundsen, E. James, K. Mills, G. Quick, J. Peterson, R. Scholl, A. Urlacher,
R. Warren.
Excused:M. Meehan.
Absent:
Also present: City Administrator Nyle Zikmund, Finance Director Gayle Bauman, Council
Liaison Gary Meehlhause.
3.Review Agenda and Minutes .
a. Review Agenda.
Chair R. Warren introduced the Preliminary Agenda. Discussion was requested. Not receiving any
corrections the Agenda was adopted by consent.
b. Review Minutes of Regular Meeting.
Chair R. Warren asked for review of the Secretary's September 16, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
MOTION made, by J. Peterson, and seconded, by G. Quick, to approve the Meeting Minutes as
presented. MOTION adopted 8-0.
4.Citizen's Comments from the Floor.
No citizens present made comments.
5.Reports of Chair.
Chair made no report.
6.Reports of Members.
Secretary B. Amundsen asked City Administrator Zikmund the status of Resolution 2025-01 to amend
the charter for council temporary appointments. City Administrator Zikmund reported that the item is on
the council agenda for November 24, 2025, first reading.
7.Unfinished Business.
a. Discussion of Chapter 7 Taxation and Finances and General Levy caps in relation to street and
park financing.
City Administrator N. Zikmund and Finance Director G. Bauman discussed funding sources for both
streets and parks. He stated the park task force received an Ehlers review, which could be sent to the
commission. Director G. Bauman stated funding could come for parks from abatement, voter approved
dedicated levy, or debt, plus maybe some cannabis partnership income. R. Scholl requested that an
example $30 million 10 year fund impact, to a common house property, be prepared and sent to the
commission comparing debt versus levy approval methods. Administrator N. Zikmund said the Council
is asking if the Commission could consider taking a part of the levy cap over the 6.5% to be approved if
dedicated to parks? B. Amundsen also desired a comparison document and that perhaps the Commission
table this issue until next summer after the GOALS team look deeper in to its work on review of parks
and funding methods.
b. Chapter 2 Form of Government, Section 2.07 Salaries.
Chair R. Warren asked for the topic to be reviewed. Secretary B. Amundsen said this issue was
presented to the Commission by City Administrator Zikmund in March 2025 as an item to consider
changing due to the awkwardness of council members voting to give themselves a raise. He further
discussed that Blaine's charter connects the council salary to an index rather than having the council
decide the issue. Vice Chair R. Scholl further discussed the issue, and suggested we consider language
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Mounds View Charter Commission Minutes — DRAFT
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
that might be connected to a financial index. Chair R. Warren asked that various other charter language
be reviewed and sent to members for possible consideration.
8.New Business
a. Review Chair's Annual report to the Court
Chair R. Warren introduced the Annual Letter to the Court for the Commission to review. J. Peterson
asked if the council salary discussion could be added to the November meeting note. Without exception,
it was accepted. Chair R. Warren asked for a motion to approve the letter.
MOTION, by E. James, and seconded, by A. Urlacher, to approve the Annual Report to the Court
as amended. Motion adopted 8-0.
b. Resolution 2025-02 Commission's 2026 Meeting Dates.
Chair R. Warren asked for the resolutions to be reviewed. Secretary B. Amundsen stated that two
resolutions were presented being a) representing the current every-other month meeting schedule and b)
meeting on a quarterly schedule, both have the January and November meetings on the same date
because of the requirement to elect officers within 90 days of new appointments and also to review the
bylaws on a semiannual basis. He recommended the quarterly schedule because the commission's
workload is reducing, the parks issue won't be ready until mid summer, and the council salary question
isn't critical until next November. Lastly the chair can cancel meetings or call meetings if less or more are
required. Chair R. Warren asked for other discussion or a motion.
MOTION, by B. Amundsen, and seconded, by R. Scholl, to approve resolution 2025-02b to meet on
a quarterly basis on the dates indicated in the resolution. Motion adopted 8-0.
9.Next Regular Meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Commission is January 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM.
10.Adjournment:
With no other items for the Commission to consider, Chair R. Warren declared the Commission
adjourned.
Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Amundsen,
Secretary, Charter Commission of Mounds View MN
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Exhibit A
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER BY
REVISING LANGUAGE RELATED TO MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO FILL
VACANCIES IN 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
Chapters 2 and 4 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 ______ 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. Chapter 2 of the Mounds View City Charter is hereby amended by removing stricken, or
adding the double-underlined language as follows:
Section 2.05 Vacancies. A vacancy in the Council, whether it be in the office of mayor or
council member, shall be deemed to exist in case of the failure of any person elected
thereto to qualify, or by reason of the death, resignation in writing filed with the city
administrator, removal from office, non-residence in the city, conviction of a felony of
any such person after their election, or by reason of the failure of any Council member
without good cause to attend Council meetings for a period of three (3) consecutive
months. In each such case the Council shall by resolution declare the vacancy to exist and
follow the appointment process in Chapter 4, Section 4.05.
2.02. Chapter 4 of the Mounds View City Charter is hereby amended by removing Section 4.05
in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
Section 4.05 Vacancy in Municipal Elected Office
2025-01_BA_v20250916
Subdivision 1. Vacancy and 365 days or more remain in the term. The following process
shall be followed when addressing a vacancy, as defined in Chapter 2, Section 2.05 or
other applicable law, in an elected office of the City that occurs with 365 days or more
remaining in the term of the vacated office:
A)A special election shall be called at the next uniform election date specified in
Minnesota Statutes, section 205.10, subd.. 3a, as amended, for which all legal
requirements for special elections can be met by the City.
B)The City Council shall appoint an individual following the appointment process in
this Section 4.05 to fill the vacancy until a successor is elected and qualifies.
Subdivision 2. Vacancy and less than 365 days remain in the term. The following process
shall be followed when addressing a vacancy, as defined in Chapter 2, Section 2.05 or
other applicable law, in an elected office of the City that occurs with less than 365 days
remaining in the term of the vacated office:
A) The City Council shall appoint an individual following the appointment process in
this Section 4.05 to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term and until the
election and qualification of a successor.
Subdivision 3. Appointment. If, pursuant to subdivisions 1 or 2, the City Council may
appoint an individual to fill a vacancy, the following process must be used:
A)A majority of the members of the council voting on the resolution, declares a
vacancy via resolution.
B)Within thirty (30) days of the date the vacancy is declared, 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 will provide written notice of the vacancy to the
individuals in the list provided in Subdivision 3.(D). The written notice shall request a
written response to the question of whether the individual is willing to be appointed to the
vacancy. Individuals on the list will have a maximum of twenty (20) days to provide such
written response. The City Administrator may present an individual for appointment prior
to the expiration of the twenty-day period if: i) the first person on the list confirms they
are willing to serve and qualifies; or ii) any person on the list provides an affirmative
response and each person prioritized higher on the list declines appointment or is not
qualified. After the twenty-day response period, the City Administrator will present the
2025-01_BA_v20250916
listed person with the highest priority who has responded that they are willing to serve
and qualifies for appointment, regardless of not receiving responses from others on the
list. If no person accepts or is qualified and less than 365 days remain in the vacant term
then the council may make an appointment at their discretion for the reminder of the
vacant term.
D)The following is the list of individuals that may be presented for appointment to
fill a vacancy in order of the priority listed below:
i.Chair of the Mounds View Charter Commission.
ii.Vice Chair of the Mounds View Charter Commission.
iii.Chair of the Mounds View Planning Commission.
iv.Chair of the Mounds View Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commission.
v.Vice Chair of the Mounds View Planning Commission.
vi.Vice Chair of the Mounds View Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commission.
E)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.
F)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. Being
appointed to serve as a member of the Council and maintaining a seat on a commission
does not violate Section 2.04 regarding incompatible offices.
Subdivision 4. Vacancy in the Office of the Mayor. If the vacancy is in the office of the
Mayor, the individual appointed pursuant to Subdivision 3 shall assume the duties of the
Mayor as described in this Charter and Minnesota Statutes, as amended, except for the
following duties, which shall be performed by the individual designated as the Acting Mayor:
A)Presiding at meetings of the Council.
B)The duties described in Section 2.06, subdivision 2.
2025-01_BA_v20250916
Subdivision 5. Special Election to Fill Vacancy.
A)The City Administrator shall give at least sixty (60) 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, as amended.
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.
2.03. 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.
2.04. 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
410.11 of the Act.
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Date of Publication:
Date Ordinance Takes Effect:
Zach Lindstrom Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator
(SEAL)
2025-01_BA_v20250916
Charter
Commission
Chair
Russell Warren
763-786-3591
Vice Chair
Rebecca Scholl
651-503-3999
2nd Vice Chair
Jerry Peterson
612-607-3953
Secretary
Brian Amundsen
763-786-5699
Assistant Secretary
Karen Mills
952-913-7774
Edeth James
763-443-5655
Gary Quick
763-786-4631
Amber Urlacher
612-859-9082
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER COMMISSION
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING AMENDMENT OF THE
MOUNDS VIEW CHARTER BY ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View (the “City”) is governed by a home rule
charter pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 410; and
WHEREAS, the City’s charter commission (the “Commission”) has the
authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 410.12, subdivision 7, to recommend
amendments to the City’s charter; and
WHEREAS, after discussion and deliberation, the Commission has determined
that the City’s home rule charter should be amended to establish a new process for
making appointments to a vacancy in an elected office; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2025, after discussion and deliberation, the
Commission adopted Resolutions 2025-01 recommending that the City Council amend
sections 2.05 and 4.05 of its home rule charter by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council scheduled a public hearing on the
recommendations for November 24, 2025, but decided to cancel the second public
hearing due to statute time limits; and
WHEREAS, the Charter Commission desires to reaffirm its recommendations
to amend the City’s home rule charter through this resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Commission requests that the City Council respond within 30
days with any questions regarding or clarifications to the suggested amendments or if
the City Council is not in unanimous agreement with the Commission’s
recommendation.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mounds View Charter
Commission that it reaffirms its recommendations contained in Resolutions 2025-01,
specifically that sections 2.05 and 4.05 of the Mounds View City Charter be amended
by ordinance, in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit A, denoted as 2025-
01_BA_v20250916, to be enacted by the City Council of the City of Mounds View
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 410.12, subdivision 7.
Passed and adopted at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Mounds View Charter
Commission on January 20, 2026.
By__________________________
Russell Warren, Chair
ATTEST:
By________________________
Brian Amundsen, Secretary
Reso202601_BA_v20260107 Page 1 of 1