04-27-2004 Charter Commission Regular Meeting - 1 -
Minutes of the Hopkins Charter Commission
April 27, 2004
The Hopkins Charter Commission met on April 27. Present were Commission members:
Dorothy Boen, David Day, John Frane, Marjorie Hance, Fran Hesch, Roger Johnson, Charles
Kritzler, and James Shirley. Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie was also present.
The meeting was brought to order at 6:30 p.m.
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair.
Commissioner Frane was nominated for Chair and Commissioner Hesch was nominated for
Vice-Chair. The Commission voted unanimously to elect John Frane as Chair and Fran Hesch as
Vice-Chair.
Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting.
Commissioner Shirley moved and Commissioner Boen seconded a motion to approve the
minutes of April 29, 2003. The Commission voted to approve the minutes. Commissioners Day
and Gross abstained.
Reports.
There were no official reports.
Communications
There were no communications.
Old Business
There was no old business
New Business
Board of Equalization
Mr. Genellie explained this issue regarding Section 7.03 of the Charter. On January 6, 2004 the
City Council voted to turn over the duties of the Board of Review to Hennepin County for a
period of three years. Section 7.03 states:
"Section 7.03. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. The Council shall constitute the
Board of Equalization and shall meet as such in the usual place for holding Council
Meetings not later than June 1 of each year to equalize the assessments according to
law, or at such other adjourned meetings as it may designate."
Although City Attorney Wynn Curtiss stated that the Council had the authority under state law to
transfer the Board of Equalization duties, Mr. Genellie recommended that the following language
be added to the beginning of Section 7.03: Unless the City Council provides otherwise as
permitted by law.
The Commission discussed the proper role of the City Council in determining property values.
Some Commissioners thought that the Council should retain some responsibility in the process.
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Other Commissioners said the City Council should have the flexibility to decide whether to
continue to act in this capacity especially since the assessing function has transferred to
Hennepin County.
Commissioner Boen moved and Commissioner Hance seconded the motion to amend the Charter
to add the recommended language to Section 7.03. The motion was approved unanimously.
Ranked Ballot Voting
Commissioner Hesch explained how Ranked Ballot Voting or Instant Runoff Voting (IRV)
works. The City of Hopkins had a version of ranked ballot voting from the adoption of the City
Charter in 1947 until 1959. Commissioner Hesch explained that the Federal Government has
made money available to the states to upgrade their elections through the Help America Vote Act
(HAVA.) The current Secretary of State, Mary Kiffmeyer, is not on record as favoring the
purchase of voting machines that can be programmed for IRV.
Commissioner Hesch wanted the Charter Commission to consider amending the Charter to allow
the election of the Mayor through IRV. Several Commissioners thought that it might make
voting more complex. Other Commissioners felt that it might be a worthwhile system. The entire
Commission felt that more information was needed.
Commissioner Hesch said that she would provide additional information at the next Commission
meeting.
The Commission voted to meet again on Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Adjournment.
Commissioner Hance moved and Commissioner Gross seconded the motion to adjourn. The
meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.