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Charter commission seeks members
Published 12:00pm Tuesday, December 22, 2009The Fergus Falls City Council is looking for residents interested in serving on a commission overseeing the city’s charter.
The charter commission is a long-standing group whose role is to review the city’s charter and, if appropriate, make recommendations for amendments. While the city council can create ordinances affecting city code, changes to the charter must be made through the commission with the consent of the council.
City records indicate the commission’s last meeting may have been in the early 1990s, when the group included 12 to 14 people, according to City Attorney Rolf Nycklemoe. There has not been an amendment to the charter in more than 20 years, he said.
The previous commission was never disbanded, but members may have died or moved out of the area, Nycklemoe told the city council Monday.
“It’s a continuing body,” he said. “We just need to update it.”
Nycklemoe said he believes the city is in a position to have all spots on the commission filled.
The charter commission may include anywhere from seven to 14 members who must be appointed by the chief judge of the Seventh District Court. Any city resident qualifies for membership in the commission, including the mayor and city council members, but excluding judges. Commission members serve unlimited successive terms.
Nycklemoe said the council could choose to review resumes from residents and submit recommendations for commission membership to the chief judge, who is based in Alexandria.
Council members signed on to the idea Monday and are expected to review resumes at a future committee meeting. In the meantime, resumes may be submitted to the office of the City Administrator at City Hall.
