2021-10-21 MinutesRichfield Charter Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 21. 2021
Present: Donna Drummond, Lisa Rudolph, Reed Bornholdt, Martin Kirsch, Michael
Ulmer, Sidney Rehwaldt, David Lamberger, Brandt Krueger, Michelle Dowell, Rori Coleman-Woods, Gordon Vizecky, Bill Bullock Absent: Ken Severson (excused), David Gepner
Guests: Chris Swanson, Management Analyst and City Attorney Mary Tietjen The meeting was called to order by President Martin Kirsch at 7:00pm. Old Business
Minutes from the meeting of February 5, 2019 were reviewed. Motion by Bill Bullock, seconded by Lisa Rudolph to approve as written. Motion passed. New Business Election of officers for 2021 was held. Reed Bornholdt spoke on behalf of the
nominating committee and moved Martin Kirsch for President Mike Sandahl for Vice President and Bill Bullock as Secretary. After it was determined that the Hennepin County Chief Judge had not yet approved Mike Sandahl’s application for reappointment, the motion was amended by Bill Bullock to nominate Reed Bornholdt as Vice President. Motion seconded by Sid Rehwaldt, motion passed.
Kirsch brought up the issue of special elections. The City Attorney reviewed the issue and previous discussions regarding amending the charter as it deals with special elections for vacancies on the Richfield City Council as the city had three special elections in the two years from 2016 and 2018. The main concerns are the cost of conducting special
elections as well as the fact that the current language is not in conformity with current state laws. Chris Swanson indicated staff was still interested in updating the charter. The City Attorney also addressed the current commission by-laws and inquired whether they should be reviewed and possibly updated. It was agreed the by-laws should be
updated; city staff will again review and provide some possible changes at a future meeting. Krueger asked how changed to the City Charter are initiated and sent to the commission for consideration. The City Attorney discussed and will be sending out materials to all
current commission members regarding this. According to the current by-laws, the next meeting of the Charter Commission will be scheduled for January 11, 2022.
As there was no other new business for the commission, a motion to adjourn the meeting
made by Sid Rehwaldt. The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 pm. Respectfully submitted,
Bill Bullock Secretary