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~+ • .. Roseville Charter Commission Roseville City Hall Council Chambers Minutes of Meeting of March 15, 2000 I. Call to Order/Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by chair Vicky Lorenz at 7:05 p.m. Present: Jack Brewer, Patricia Johnson, Craig Klausing, Vicky Lorenz, Elwyn Sands and Georgiana Sobola. Absent: Robert Bell, Ron Riach and Marilyn Silvis. II. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the February 16, 2000 meeting were approved. Request by Patricia Johnson to record ayes, nays and abstentions by the secretary were noted. Jack Brewer was given the opportunity to publicize forthcoming events of the Roseville String Ensemble. III. Guest Speakers: Members of the Roseville City Council were invited to come to this meeting to present their views on charter issues. Appearing to speak were John Goedeke, Dean Maschka and Barb Mastel. They expressed their views on the ward system, initiative, referendum, recall, tax increment financing, fiscal disparities, accessibility of the Council to Roseville Citizens and even-year elections. They responded to questions on enlarging the City Council, role of citizens in developing public policy and concerns about Commission/Council conflict. All reported very little concern or questions in their pre- election contacts with citizens about a possible home rule charter. Guest Speaker, Duke Addicks, representing the League of Minnesota Cities: Mr. Addicks characterized a charter as a continuous constitutional convention. He reviewed the procedure for developing a charter, starting with the question "Does the City need a charter?" and proceeding to approval by the citizens at a general or special election. He recommended the use of outside counsel in the development of a charter because of unforeseen problems that could develop, citing specific examples. Other topics discussed were the ward system and a proposed bill in the current legislative session that would enable all Plan B cities to use the ward system. Wards for Plan B cities are now available only through special legislation. He clarified the role of a charter commission after a charter is developed: to educate the citizenry but not to promote it. Individual members, however, can voice their own opinions. IV. Commission Discussion: Commission members discussed the draft of future agenda topics as developed by the executive committee and sent to members in accordance with last month's motion. The schedule designated topics through July, with awrap-up in August. Topics for April and May were reversed. The remaining schedule as revised is: April: Initiative and Referendum: Citizens' right to initiative and referendum May: Referendum: What council actions should require referendum? June: Wards, even-year elections, council expansion July: Options available for city operating structures under a charter August: Wrap-up and decision on future actions Presentations for the April meeting were suggested. Patricia Johnson and Jack Brewer will contact Ray Faricy. Craig Klausing will contact someone from the academic community. Suggestions for presenters for the May meeting will be welcomed at the April meeting. Additions were also suggested for the organizations and individuals to be notified of the meeting schedule and arrangements were made for contact persons. V. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Georgiana Sobola Secretary