01-21-2003 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes January 21, 2003 ............................. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SKATE PARK. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 3 COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE STREET DEPARTMENT TO BEGIN MOVING FILL MATERIAL FROM THE TWIN LAKES ROAD STOCKPILE TO LIONS PARK FOR THE SKATE PARK. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.4. Consider Residency Requirements for Board and Commission Members City Administrator Pat Klaers provided background information on this issue and reviewed the existing ordinances regarding residency requirements for boards and commissions. Councilmember Tveite stated that Elk River residents should get priority when being considered for appointments to a board but that the city shouldn't limit the candidates to Elk River residents only. Councilmember Motin stated that he is opposed to the residency requirement but also feels that preferential treatment should be given to Elk River residents. Mayor Klinzing stated that there should be residency requirements for boards and commissions. She stated that the boards make recommendations that affect Elk River residents. She questioned what the requirements were for other cities and if the city had completed any type of survey on this issue. Councilmember Kuester stated that if a non-resident expressed an interest in serving on a board it shows that the person has in incredible interest and commitment to Elk River. She stated that the residency requirement should be required for some boards such as the Planning Commission. Councilmember Dietz stated that non-residents currently serving as board members should be allowed to serve as long as they are willing but that any new members should meet residency requirements. He stated that the Park and Recreation Commission currently has eight members and it should only have seven members to keep the board at an odd number for voting. City Attorney Peter Beck stated that changes should be made by ordinance for each board or commission. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-232 (A) OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION BY CHANGING THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS FROM EIGHT (8) TO SEVEN (7) AND BY DELETING THE LAST SENTENCE OF SECTION (A) AND REPLACING IT WITH THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE: "IT IS EXPECTED THAT A PREFERENCE BE GIVEN TO ELK RIVER RESIDENTS, BUT RESIDENCY BY ITSELF SHALL NOT BE A DISQUALIFICATION." COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. Mayor Klinzing opposed.