05-29-2024 Charter Commission Regular Meeting 1
Minutes of the Hopkins Charter Commission
May 29, 2024
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The Hopkins Charter Commission met on May 29, 2024, in the Raspberry Room at City
Hall, 1010 1st St. S., Hopkins. Present were Commission Members Dunn, Gadd,
Halverson, Hanneman, Hugh, Johnson, Lenz, Maurer and Shirley. Commission Member
absent was White. Also present was City Clerk Domeier, Finance Director Bishop and
City Attorney Riggs.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by City Clerk Domeier. City Attorney Riggs
and City Clerk Domeier shared information about the role of a Charter Commissioner,
open meeting law and the meeting process. More formal training will be held on
Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The next Charter Commission meeting is July 31
at 5 p.m.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Motion by Gadd. Second by Johnson.
Motion to Elect Daniel Lenz as Chair.
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
Motion by Mauer. Second by Lenz.
Motion to Elect Jason Gadd as Vice Chair.
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Motion by Gadd. Second by Shirley.
Motion to Approve the February 18, 2018, Charter Commission Regular Meeting
Proceedings.
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
4.1. 2024 Charter Amendment: Chapters 2 and 4
City Clerk Domeier summarized the proposed amendments to Chapters 2 and 4
including: Elected Officials, Municipal Elections, Candidates and Write-In Vote Tallies.
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Elected Officials
Debate was held regarding the pros and cons of staying with two-year term or moving to
a four-year term. Some Commissioners did not support a four-year term as a shorter
term allows the option to flip the Council membership every two years; most Mayors
have experience being a previous Council Member, so the changeover is easier; and
the history is most mayors run unopposed. Other Commissioners believed it is difficult
to become a leader in a two-year term and build relationships with the Council and other
agencies; thought it would be easier to bring stability with a longer term; and that less
energy would be used on campaigning and could be focused on the work of the City
Council and relationship building. The Charter Commission requested data on Mayor’s
terms throughout the state.
Municipal Elections
There was general support to move from odd -year to even-year elections. The
Commissioners discussed the changes in elections, voter turnout, cost and
opportunities for increased civic engagement. City Clerk Domeier also spoke to the
uniform election dates. The Charter Commission requested data on the proposed term
changes if even-year elections were implemented and the impact to the current offices.
Candidates
The Charter Commission supported moving forward with the proposed changes to
Section 4.02 related to candidate filing and write -in vote tally changes.
Motion by Hanneman. Second by Dunn.
Motion to Direct Staff to Draft an Ordinance that Amends Charter Section 4.02 .
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
4.2. 2024 Charter Amendment: Chapters 6 and 7
Finance Director Bishop summarized the proposed amendments to Chapters 6 and 7
including: Purchases and Contracts, Preparation of the Annual Budget, Disbursements
and Accounts and Reports.
Brief discussion on legislative policy manual amendments and adoptions.
Motion by Halverson. Second by Dunn.
Motion to Direct Staff to Draft an Ordinance that Amends Charter Section 6.06 .
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
Motion by Hanneman. Second by Dunn.
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Motion to Direct Staff to Draft an Ordinance that Amends Charter Section 7.03 .
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
Motion by Gadd. Second by Shirley.
Motion to Direct Staff to Draft an Ordinance that Amends Charter Section 7.04 .
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
Motion by Hanneman. Second by Halverson.
Motion to Direct Staff to Draft an Ordinance that Amends Charter Section 7.10 .
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
Motion by Hanneman. Second by Hugh.
Motion to Direct Staff to Draft an Ordinance that Amends Charter Section 7.13
including language that eliminates monthly or quarterly statements and instead
offer flexibility for the Finance Director.
Ayes: 9
Nays: 0. Absent: White. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Charter Commission and upon a
Motion by Shirley, Second by Hanneman, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at
6:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Domeier, City Clerk