HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-25 Charter Commission Minutes
C ITY OF C ORCORAN
Charter Commission Minutes
Monday, October 25, 2022 – 5:30 pm
The Corcoran Charter Commission met on Monday, October 25, 2022, at City Hall in Corcoran,
Minnesota. The meeting was held remotely through electronic means using the audio and video
conferencing platform Zoom.
Present for the Charter Commissioners Gmach, Guenthner, Hakensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker,
Ferrian, Buchholtz, Hibbard and Lother.
Present staff included Administrative Services Director Beise.
1. Call to Order
Commission Chair Lother called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Commission Chair Lother invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Approval of Agenda
Administrative Services Director Beise stated that the Charter wanted to continue to discuss the
addition of wards that it should be added to the agenda as item 6a. and dual representation added
as item 6b. under unfinished business.
MOTION: made by Buchholtz, seconded by Gmach to approve the agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: Lother, Gmach, Guenthner, Hackensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker, Ferrian Buchholz, and
Hibbard.
(Motion carried 10:0)
4. Open Forum
No persons were present for Open Forum.
5. Approval of Minutes
a. Draft Charter Commission Minutes November 10, 2021
MOTION: made by Gmach, seconded by Guenthner to approve the November 10, 2021 Charter
Commission Minutes with corrections as discussed.
Voting Aye: Lother, Gmach, Guenthner, Hakensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker, Ferrian Buchholz, and
Hibbard.
(Motion carried 10:0)
6. Unfinished Business
a. Implementing Wards Discussion
The Charter Commission briefly discussed realignment of boundaries and the consideration of
adding a ward system in Corcoran. 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 the population of Corcoran continues to grow. The Charter discussed
feedback received from other communities who have made the transition to a ward transition. A
joint meeting with other Charter Commission members from neighboring communities was
suggested. More information needs to be gathered. The Charter directed staff to research and
bring back more information to the Charter Commission scheduled for March 21, 2023.
b. Dual Representation
The Charter Commission re-visited the discussion from a previous Charter Commission meeting
and provided clarification to staff for the amendment to the Charter. The Charter Commission
noted that amending the Charter Commission bylaws prohibiting Charter Commission members
from also serving on the City Council during the same term which would be a conflict of interest.
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C ITY OF C ORCORAN
Charter Commission Minutes
Monday, October 25, 2022 – 5:30 pm
The Charter Commission directed staff to bring back a draft charter amendment and ordinance
with the changes as discussed.
7. New Business
a. Review of Correspondence
No correspondence was received.
b. Commissioner Term Update
The Commission reviewed the terms of the commissioners. Commissioner Guenthner’s term will
be ending March 1, 2023. Staff and Charter Commission discussed varying term dates of the
commission.
c. Annual Report to District Court Judge
The Charter Commission reviewed a draft of annual report to the chief district court judge.
MOTION: made by Buchholtz, seconded by Hakensen to approve submission of the annual report
to the chief judge of the district.
Voting Aye: Lother, Gmach, Guenthner, Hakensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker, Ferrian, Buchholz,
and Hibbard.
(Motion carries 10:0)
d. Charter Commission 2023 Annual Meeting Date
The Charter scheduled the next Annual Meeting for Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
MOTION: made by Gmach, seconded by Ferrion to schedule the Annual Charter Commission
Meeting for September 12, 2023.
Voting Aye: Lother, Gmach, Guenthner, Hakensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker, Ferrian, Buchholz, and
Hibbard.
(Motion carries 10:0)
e. Staggered Commission Terms
The Commission discussed Commission Terms, when a commissioner resigns, and statues the
district judge follows regarding Charter Commission term dates.
MOTION: made by Buchholz, seconded by Coots to direct staff to bring back a draft of a transition
plan for staggering Charter Commission appointments.
Voting Aye: Lother, Gmach, Guenthner, Hakensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker, Ferrian, Buchholz and
Hibbard.
(Motion carries 10:0)
f. Budget Funds for 2023
The Charter Commission requested that the City Council include a line item in the 2023 Annual
Budget for the Charter Commission.
8. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Buchholz, seconded by Hakensen to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Lother, Gmach, Guenthner, Hakensen, Coots, Tilbury, Tucker, Ferrian, Buchholz and
Hibbard.
(Motion carries 10:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
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Jessica Beise – Administrative Services Director
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