The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-08-22 Charter Commission Agenda Packet CITY OF CORCORAN *Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the House Agenda Packet book located by the entrance. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the City website at www.corcoranmn.gov. Corcoran Charter Commission Special Meeting Agenda August 22, 2023 – 6:00pm 1. Call to Order / Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Agenda Approval 4. Open Forum 5. Unfinished Business a. Council Structure* b. Continuation of Ward Discussion* c. Date for Annual Charter Commission Meeting* 6. New Business 7. Adjournment HYBRID MEETING OPTION AVAILABLE The public is invited to attend the regular Council meetings at City Hall. Meeting Via Telephone/Other Electronic Means Call-in Instructions: +1 312 626 6799 US Enter Meeting ID: 847 4332 9823 Press *9 to speak during the Public Comment Sections in the meeting. Video Link and Instructions: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84743329823 visit http://www.zoom.us and enter Meeting ID: 847 4332 9823 Participants can utilize the Raise Hand function to be recognized to speak during the Public Comment sections in the meeting. Participant video feeds will be muted. In-person comments will be received first, with the hybrid electronic means option following. For more information on options to provide public comment visit: www.corcoranmn.gov Agenda Item: 5a. 8200 County Road 116  Corcoran, MN 55340 763-420-2288  www.corcoranmn.gov MEMO Meeting Date: August 22, 2023 Special Meeting To: Charter Commission From: Jessica Beise, City Administrator Re: Council Structure ______________________________________________________________________ At the 2022 annual Charter Commission meeting there was discussion of reviewing the City Council Structure relating to the Mayor’s term. The discussion was related to elections and potentially changing to a four-year term. The cost of managing campaigns biannually was discussed as a reason for considering the change. The change in Council structure has not been discussed with the Council. If supported by the Chater Commission and Council, a Charter amendment could be drafted for adoption. Charter Commission Action: The Commission should discuss and provide feedback to the Council and direct staff to bring forward any charter amendments at the annual Charter meeting. Agenda Item: 5b. 8200 County Road 116  Corcoran, MN 55340 763-420-2288  www.corcoranmn.gov MEMO Meeting Date: August 22, 2023 Special Meeting To: Charter Commission From: Jessica Beise, City Administrator Re: Continuation of Ward Discussion ______________________________________________________________________ The Charter Commission began discussions of Wards in Corcoran in 2018. Past discussions included implementation, impacts, and ward boundaries within Corcoran. In March the City had a representative from the League of Minnesota Cities present information on converting to a ward system. Commissioner Tucker volunteered to complete additional research on wards to bring back to the City’s next meeting. Charter Commission Action: • Discuss the option of establishing a Ward system. If supportive, the Charter Commission should also discuss timeline and process. Attachments: 1. Research Prepared by Commissioner Tucker 8/15/2023 TO: Commissioners of the City of Corcoran Charter Commission Jessica Beise, City Administrator Report of Other Cities Wards Configurations I selected eight (8) cities of similar size to Corcoran, from where Corcoran had been to where it might be by 2030 census. Those cities were: Crookston, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Fairmont, Litchfield, Little Falls, Redwood Falls, and Waseca. It was a blessing and pleasure to have spoken with so many wonderful public servants. These public servants were eager to help, provided me with appropriate information, and were just all-around nice folks with whom to converse. Since state statute dictates the make up of wards (equal population distribution), there is no discussion of mapping and geographic make-up. I was tasked with finding the following information: 1. What is their current ward configuration? 2. When did your city first amend your charter to achieve a ward system> 3. Why did your city decide to go to wards? 4. What were (if any) the implementation issues? 5. Is your ward system functioning as you foresaw/intended? 6. If you have wards and at-large councilors, why did you configure that way? 7. Are there term limits for mayors and/or councilors? 8. Are there other issues about which you are aware? In no particular order, here are the findings: Fairmont (Martin County); 2020 population: 10,487 I contacted by phone and via email both the City Clerk and City Manager and received no response…despite repeated requests. This information is from their website: Current Configuration: 4 wards with one councilor per ward; 1 at-large councilor and the mayor. Each is on a four-year term with staggered elections so not all are elected at one time. There are two precincts per ward. Detroit Lakes (Becker County); 2020 population: 9990 Current Configuration: 3 wards with 2 councilors per ward; 3 at- large councilors; 1 mayor (who votes in the case of a tie vote by council; he doesn’t vote much. All are on a four-year term of office with staggered elections. When: Wards were first added to the charter in 1959 but it was 1982 fully implemented. Why this configuration: Simply put, more is better. Better representation for the citizens, more eyes and ears on an issue is better. Issues: The only one mentioned to me was candidate quality, as in, 9 people is a lot to have to elect/re-elect. Waseca (Waseca County); 2020 population: 9222 Current Configuration: 3 wards with 2 councilors per ward; 1 city-wide mayor. Council is elected/re-elected every 4 years with a staggered system. The mayor is elected every 2 years. When: 1968 Why: no one could tell me this; “that’s the way it has been since I’ve been here.” Little Falls (Morrison County) 2020 population: 9140 Current Configuration: 3 wards with 2 councilors per ward; 1 at-large councilor and the mayor. All are on 4-year terms using staggered elections. When: early 1980’s Why: As Little Falls grew, wards were initiated to ensure that people “on both sides of the river” were adequately represented. Issues: Currently none. East Grand Forks (Polk County) 2020 population: 9079 Current Configuration: 5 wards with 1 councilperson per ward; 2 at-large councilors; 1 mayor. Mayor only votes in case of a tie vote and has veto power. All eight are elected to four-year terms; elections are held on even number years. When: unknown; at least 100 years with no explanation about why then. Pros: the 2 at-large councilors seem to have better contact with the residents (?) Cons: many elections (every two years) necessitating increased costs to the city; councilors “usually” run unopposed therefore few new people step up to run unless the incumbent doesn’t seek reelection. Crookston (Polk County) 2020 population 7315 Current configuration: Six wards (had 8 until 2000) with 1 councilor per ward and with two at-large councilors and the mayor. The mayor votes only in the event of a tie vote and does have veto power. All serve a four-year term with staggered elections. When: 1906, revisions in 2000. Pros: At-large members are more able to provide assistance to ward councilors when needed. Better able to address citizen needs/requests quickly. Cons: A city councilperson cannot run for mayor until having served one term on council; to save money, the number of polling places have been decreased which has resulted in decreased voter participation. Litchfield (Meeker County) 2020 population: 6629 Current Configuration: Five wards with 1 councilor per ward, 1 at-large councilor, and the mayor. All serve on a four-year term with staggered elections. When: Started in the 1970’s. Why: Unknown The only problem mentioned occurred in 2000 when three were appointed (reasons for this not given); there was a concern about the prospect of an un- elected majority; this drove the decision to go to staggered elections. They have considered other configurations but have stayed with the current format. Redwood Falls (Redwood County) 202 0 population: 5067 Current configuration: Three wards with one councilor per ward; 2 at-large councilors and the mayor. All are elected to 4-year terms with staggered elections on the even numbered years. When: 1974 Why: Unknown They are satisfied with the current configuration, though it was mentioned that ward elections are more competitive than the at-large elections, even if there is someone running against the incumbent. Agenda Item: 5c. 8200 County Road 116  Corcoran, MN 55340 763-420-2288  www.corcoranmn.gov MEMO Meeting Date: August 22, 2023 Special Meeting To: Charter Commission From: Jessica Beise, City Administrator Re: Date for Annual Charter Commission Meeting ______________________________________________________________________ The Charter Commission is scheduled for the annual meeting on September 12 at 5:30pm. Commission Action: The Charter Commission should determine if the Commission would like to meet as scheduled or if another date should be selected.