2019-02-05 MinutesRichfield Charter Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 5, 2019
Present: David Gepner, Reed Bornholdt, John Easterwood, Martin Kirsch, Jacqueline
Heine, Sidney Rehwaldt, Gordon Hanson, Lisa Rudolph, Ken Severson, Bill Bullock
Absent: Bill Kilian (excused), Michael Ulmer, David Lamberger (excused), Donna
Drummond, Mike Sandahl (excused)
Guests: City Clerk Elizabeth VanHoose, City Manager Katie Rodriquez, City Attorney
Mary Tietjen
The meeting was called to order by President Martin Kirsch at 7:00pm.
Old Business
Minutes from the meeting of January 29, 2018 were review. Motion by Lisa Rudolph,
seconded by Gordon Hanson to approve as written. Motion passed.
New Business
1) Elizabeth VanHoose spoke to the commission regarding special elections. In the
past two years the city has help three special elections to fill unexpired terms on
the Richfield City Council. The City Charter (“Charter”) was amended in 1992 to
require a special election if 180 or more days remain in the Council member’s
term and for that election to be held between 30 and 60 days after the vacancy is
declared. While there were concerns noted of the additional costs and labor
associated with special elections, the focus became having the Charter conform to
requirements set forth by the State Legislature. First, elections require a two
week filing period, after which 46 days need to be allotted for absentee voting.
Second, the Legislature has made provisions for special elections to be held on the
second Tuesday in the months of February, April, May and August.
Questions were raised as to what other cites that were governed by a Charter did
for City Council vacancies. It was noted that both Bloomington and Brooklyn
Park allowed for the City Council to appoint a replacement if less than 365 days
remained in the unexpired term. Discussion also focused on the reason the
Charter was amended in 1992; the Charter had previously allowed the City
Council to appoint a replacement for the entire unexpired term.
City staff was going to bring this subject up at a future City Council study session
and offer some recommendations on how the Charter could be amended to
conform with current state law.
2) Election of officers for 2019 was held. Bill Bullock spoke on behalf of the
nominating committee and moved Martin Kirsch for President Mike Sandahl for
Vice President and Bill Bullock as Secretary. Motion seconded by John
Easterwood, motion passed.
There was no other new business for the commission.
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Ken Severson, seconded by Sid Rehwaldt. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:47pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Bullock
Secretary