04-15-2013 CHCMCHARTER COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 15, 2013, 5:30 p.m.
Members Present: Chair Deb Roepke, Don Walser, Chris Kleiman, Lyle Mullins, Roger Stearns,
Steve Bauer and Mark Lewandowski.
Members Absent: Mary Inglis and Marlin Torgerson
Others Present: Marc Sebora, City Attorney
Chair Roepke called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1. Charter Commission Board Members
Chair Roepke noted that the number of Charter Commission members has officially changed from
12 to 9 as recommended to the City Council.
2. Council Designated Seat System
Chair Roepke began discussion about the Council designated seat system. Information had been
distributed previously to Charter Commission members which included an excerpt from Section
4.01 of the City Charter speaking to Council seat designation, Charter Commission minutes from
June 28, 2010, at which discussion was held regarding designated seats, the 2002 ballot question
containing the Charter amendment question asking voters if Council seats should be designated,
and a summary of election results from 2004 -2012 showing the number of votes each candidate
received. Roger Stearns commented that the legislative districts divide the city in half essentially.
Stearns suggested that perhaps of the four Council Members, two should represent District 18, two
should represent District 18A, and the mayor would be voted as mayor. Stearns suggested having
no primary, but that the top vote - getters would get the seats. Chris Kleiman spoke of various
election methods. The designated seat system ranked 16 out of 19 and the at -large system ranked
14 out of 19 as far as the best -used methods. Mayor Cook explained the background as to how the
designated seat system came to be. The previously used at -large system allowed 10 people to file
for candidacy with no primary being held. This system allowed for a winning candidate to have
less than 50% of the votes. The designated seat system also allows for candidates to decide who
they wish to run against. The at -large system could potentially make a voter cross out their second
choice, and by using the designated seat system, it allows each vote of a voter to have value.
Mayor Cook mentioned the rank choice system of voting. The designated seat system was passed
by 54.8% at the 2002 election. Chair Roepke spoke of the designated seat system and candidates
choosing not to run against an incumbent. Christ Kleiman spoke of the limited voting system and
the cumulative voting system. Advantages and disadvantages were discussed. The Commission
expressed that unless a completely different voting system was selected, it most likely wasn't
worth making a change at this time. No action was taken.
3. Petition Requirements
Chris Kleiman noted that the current petition requirement in the Charter is 20% of the total votes
for mayor in the last election. This requirement is much higher than other petition requirements.
Marc Sebora, City Attorney, noted that this requirement is a holdover from when the City was on
odd -year elections and voter turnout was much lower than it is now with even year elections.
Mark Lewandowski suggested that 5% would be a reasonable requirement. Mayor Cook noted he
was thinking 10% would be a requirement to consider. Charter amendments currently require 5 %.
The intention behind the requirement is to do away with frivolousness.
Motion by Lewandowski, second by Stearns, to amend Section 5.02 of the City Charter to reduce
the petition requirement from 20% to 5 %. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Corporate Surety Bonds
Chris Kleiman had brought forth this item at the November Charter Commission meeting. Marc
Sebora noted that the City has coverage through its insurance trust as blanket coverage. State
statute does allow municipalities to have blanket coverage. Discussion of the Charter Commission
determined that Section 13.03 of the City Charter should be revised to illustrate current practice.
Therefore, the suggested language in Section 13.03 would be recommended to read: The mayor,
city administrator, and such other officers or employees of the city as may be specified by
ordinance shall each, before entering upon the duties of their respective offices or employment,
give a eefperute be covered bv_ a surety bond to from the City in such form and amount as may be
fixed by the council.
Motion by Kleiman, second by Lewandowski, to amend Section 13.03 of the City Charter as
indicated above. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Adjourn
Motion by Roepke, second by Kleiman, to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.