HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-10 Charter Commission Minutes
CITY OF CORCORAN
Charter Commission Minutes
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 – 5:30 pm
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The Corcoran Charter Commission met on November 10, 2021, at City Hall in Corc oran, Minnesota.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13D.021 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the work
session was held remotely through electronic means using the audio and video conferencing
platform Zoom.
Present for the Charter Commission via telephonic or other el ectronic means were Chair Gmach,
Commissioner Buchholtz, Commissioner Christenson, Commissioner Ferrian (SP?), Commissioner
Guenthner, Commissioner Coots, and Commissioner Tucker.
Commissioners Tilbury, Lother, Hibbard, Hakensen, and Gillyard were absent.
Present staff included Administrative Services Director Beise.
1. Call to Order
Commission Chair Gmach called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Commission Chair Gmach invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Approval of Agenda
MOTION: made by Guenthner, seconded by Buchholtz to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Gmach, Buchholtz, Christenson, Ferrian, Guenthner, Coots, and Tucker.
(Motion carried 7:0)
4. Open Forum
No persons were present for Open Forum.
5. Approval of Minutes
a. Draft Charter Commission Minutes November 19, 2020
MOTION: made by Tucker, seconded by Ferrian to approve the November 19, 2020 Charter
Commission Minutes.
Voting Aye: Gmach, Buchholtz, Christenson, Ferrian, Guenthner, Coots, and Tucker.
(Motion carried 7:0)
6. Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was heard.
7. New Business
a. Review of Correspondence
No correspondence was received.
b. Commissioner Term Update
The Commission reviewed the terms of the commissioners. The Commission discussed terms and
recruitment of members. The Commission noted currently 12 commissioners serve on the Charter
Commission. Staff and Charter Commission discussed varying term dates of the commission.
c. Annual Report to District Court Judge
Charter Commission noted annual report submitted to the District Court.
MOTION: made by Buchholtz, seconded by Christenson to approve submission of the annual
report to the chief judge of the district.
Voting Aye: Gmach, Buchholtz, Christenson, Ferrian, Guenthner, Coots, and Tucker.
(Motion carried 7:0)
d. Charter Commission 2022 Annual Meeting Date
The Commission and staff reviewed a date of September 8, 2022, at 5:30 pm. The Charter
Commission noted scheduling the meeting on an alternate night from Council meeting nights to
CITY OF CORCORAN
Charter Commission Minutes
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 – 5:30 pm
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allow for additional discussion if necessary, and suggested Tuesday evening as a possibility and
proposed Tuesday, September 13, 2022, as the scheduled date for the annual Charter
Commission meeting in 2022.
MOTION: made by Ferrian, seconded by Guenthner to approve the annual Charter Commission
annual meeting date in 2022, as September 13, 2022.
Voting Aye: Gmach, Buchholtz, Christenson, Ferrian, Guenthner, Coots, and Tucker.
(Motion carried 7:0)
e. Discussion of Implementing Wards
The Charter Commission noted discussion with Council in a joint meeting last year and discussed
perspectives in operations of communities, representation of areas of community, expenses
associated with running for Council seats, and redistricting needs in realigning boundaries a s the
City grows. The Charter Commission discussed timing of transitioning to wards, delayed census
data, and balanced population in each ward. The Charter Commission discussed separation of
service and representation within a ward system, denser areas of population within specific areas
of Corcoran, rural areas of Corcoran, and the role and responsibility of City Council. The Charter
Commission discussed Charter oversight includes proposing Council structure, and referendum
function oversight regarding resident petitions. The Charter Commission discussed historical
community petitions, and the legal process of initiating a petition for changes. The Charter
Commission reviewed a community petition regarding zoning and rezoning within the City, Charter
amendments, impacts of wards in relation to elections, potential difficulties with quorums in ward
based Council, and noted broad representation difficulties as population continues to grow. The
Charter Commission discussed importance of Council representing the City in its entirety. The
Charter Commission discussed obtaining feedback from communities that recently transitioned to
a ward system, and future discussion of blending a ward system with at -large council members
type Council structure.
f. Dual Representation
The Charter Commission noted amending the Charter Commission bylaws prohibiting Charter
Commission members from also serving on the City Council during the same term. The Charter
Commission noted a conflict of interest in serving on the Charter Commisison and
MOTION: made by Guenthner, seconded by Buchholtz to direct staff to draft an amendment to the
Charter bylaws where simultaneous representation on Charter commission and Council is not
permitted. The Charter Commission noted reviewing draft of the amendment at the next Charter
Commission meeting in 2022.
Voting Aye: Gmach, Buchholtz, Christenson, Ferrian, Guenthner, Coots, and Tucker.
(Motion carried 7:0)
g. Charter Commission Number of Commissioners
The Charter Commission discussed number of commissioners, rotation of term expirations, and
pursue discussion at the 2022 meeting.
The Charter commission noted referendum election days, with a recent state law setting elections
dates, and propose an amendment to the referendum dates for the annual meeting in 2022.
The Charter Commission noted lack of a conclusion regarding ward discussion and noted
continued discussion is necessary at the Charter Commission meeting in 2022. The Charter
Commission noted communicating with Administrative Se rvices Director Beise regarding individual
commissioner research regarding communities contacted and wards.
h. Budget Funds for 2022
8. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Ferrian, seconded by Coots to adjourn.
CITY OF CORCORAN
Charter Commission Minutes
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 – 5:30 pm
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Voting Aye: Gmach, Buchholtz, Christenson, Ferrian, Guenthner, Coots, and Tucker.
(Motion carried 7:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm.
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Jessica Beise – Administrative Services Director