Minutes - Charter Commission - 07/18/1991

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Council, by a four to five vote, to put in City sewer or street improvements. He explained the heart of the Charter was adopted for this petitioning process. He also added that Chapter 4.29 does not provide for veto by the public. Mr. Goodrich feels there could be a problem with some of the language in the petitioning process and he recommends the language is made more clear. Mr. Goodrich supplied each of the Commissioners with a letter to Lino Lakes Charter Commission from Dave Kennedy, Bond Counselor. The letter discusses problems with the Charter provisions on improvement procedures. He is recommending that the City consider reverting back to the statutory local improvement code. Mr. Goodrich suggested the Commission review this letter carefully and place on a subsequent agenda for further discussion. Mr. Goodrich also handed out the proposed amendment to Charter Section 4.05.04 which deals with vacancies on the Council. Upon inquiry if action should be taken on that amendment tonight, Mr. Goodrich suggested presenting all proposed amendments to City Council at one time. Mr. Goodrich informed the Commission that there have only been two meetings since 1983 regarding change to the Charter. One dealt with Council having to read ordinances verbatim at the meeting and the other was making the Police Department a Charter entity; therefore prohibiting Council from dissolving the department. He stated that if citizens don't like something in the Charter, they can also petition for a change. The Charter Commission has no power to make changes, but they can make recommendations for change. Upon inquiry, Mr. Schroeder updated the Charter Commission on what new subdivisions are being proposed which are located in the utility area. Mr. Schroeder expressed his concern with the City having 300 connections but having a capacity for a much larger number. He stated that usually means the water fund needs reviewing, which he will do. Chairman Steffen suggested it would be helpful if Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Goodrich could note potential troubles that should be reviewed by the Charter and place those issues on a subsequent agenda. Mr. Steffen stated there have been two very controversial issues in the City in the last 1- 1/2 years; one being the Adult Book Store and the other being the Airport. He questioned if there would have been anything the Charter Commission could have done to have helped these matters be handled better. Mr. Goodrich stated that with regard to the airport, the issue was Whether or not the City should adopt an airport safety zoning and the citizens thought they were voting the airport "in or out" and with regard to the book store, that is a U.S. Constitutional issue. Therefore, there really wasn't anything the Charter could have included which would have aided in either of these situations. APPROVE MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Stretar and seconded by Commissioner Donovan to approve the minutes of the April 17, 1991 Charter Commission meeting. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairman Steffen, Commissioners Stretar, Donovan, Goode, Marn and Nelson. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Graen, Netzloff and Swokowski. Case #2: Schedule Next Charter Commission Meeting Chairman Steffen explained that the Charter Commission must meet at least once a year and that the meeting day is scheduled for the third Thursday of the month. He felt it was not necessary for the Commission to meet on a monthly basis and asked for input for a meeting schedule. Motion by Commissioner Goode and seconded by Commissioner Stretar to schedule regular quarterly meetings (the third Thursday, every third month) but to meet more frequently if the need arises whether it is the need of the Commission, City Council, City Staff or the Community. Charter Commission/July 18, 1991 Page 2 of 3