Agenda - Charter Commission - 05/22/2006

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04/17/2005 21:30 7634349599 CITY OF HAN LAKE PAGE CITY OF HAM LAKE CHARTER COMMISSSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 The HTM Lake Charter Commission met o~ Monday, September 20, 2004 at the Ham Lake City Hall, 15544 Central Avenue NE. Members present were Sharon Ayslfford, John Weber, Susan Pb/Ilips, Allen Stauffacher, Gary Kirl~eide aza.d A1 Mannered. Susie Thomas was absent. Chair Weber called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Motion by Saunerud, seconded by Phillips, to approve the minutes 'of the August 16, 2004 Charter Commission meeting. All present tn favor, motion carried. Motion by Ayshford, seconded by Phillips, to rescind the motion ,~f the August 16, 2004 meeting regarding a recommendation to amend the City Cha.rter. All present in favor, motion carried. Commissioner Weber explained for the benefit of members who were absent at the last meeting the reasons for considering recommendLng an amendment to the City Charter regarding the number of seats on the Charter Commission that c~mid be filled by Councilmembers. Discussion followed regarding whether this limitation should also be set for other groups such as the Park and Tree Commission, Planning Commission or City staff. Commissioner AYShford reviewed why the discussion had been presented at the last meeting and gave on overview on legislation that had been .passed by the State (Chapter 197 (HF1392/SF1334) which allows for a city's charter to prohibit members of the City Council from serving on the Charter Commission. It also removes the term limitation for comm/ssion members. This law amends Minn. Stat. 410.05. Discussion followed. Motion by Sannerud~ seconded by Ayshford, to recommend to the City Council that an amendment be made to the City Charter, limiting the number of seats on the Charter Commission that can. be filled by Councilmembers t~a less than the majority. All present in favors motion carried. The Commission discussed whether it would be wise to consider placing Councilmember Seats on the primary ballot in instances where there is a large number of persons filing for vacant seats ('riffs would also amend the filing date for m~micipal offices). Discussion included whether it is legal to only place "contested" races o~a a primary ballot (for [nstance if the number of persons filing is more than double of the number of seats available), whether being placed on a primary ballot puts an additional burden on candidates in terms of the length of the campaign, and whether it will be the star~ of partisan campaigning for local offices. Commissioner ICSrkeide stated ~at he was against the cox~cept. Discussion continued as to what other cities do and the fac:t that there is not a municipal election in 2005 and tl'~al it would be interesting to research th.is topic. Motion by Sannerud~ seconded by Stauffacher, to request that the City Staff provide research on this topic to the Charter Commissioners for their next yearly 'scheduled meeting. All present in favor, motion carried.