The Crookston City Council had a special meeting Monday night to making appointments to the city’s Charter Commission and Library Board. The need for a special meeting to make appointments arose last week when the City Council failed to appoint a councilman for Ward 6, precipitating the need for a Charter Commission meeting.
Chris Fee, Betty Arvidson, and Tom Noah were reappointed to terms through 2022. Newly appointed for terms through 2022 were Gary Willhite, Nick Nicholas, and Blake Carlson. Donna Larson was also appointed to fill an unexpired term that will expire in 2020. A meeting date for the Charter Commission was not announced because the newly appointed members must sign the paperwork, and the appoints be confirmed by a judge explained acting Mayor Dale Stainbrook. “Once again it’s a little bit of red tape,” said Stainbrook. “They all have to be contacted and there is a form to sign down here. Then it has to go before a judge to be approved. After that, we’ll move as soon as humanly possible.”
Stainbrook said realistically it could be December before the Charter Commission meets, but if possible, he’ll have a meeting before then. “You know, I’ve never been through this,” said Stainbrook. “So, I’m thinking realistically it will probably be like always the first week of December. I don’t know how fast this process moves forward, so that’s kind of where it is at. But if it’s sooner I’ll see if we can get something lined up sooner then later. And I’ll be in contact with Angel [Weasner, City of Crookston Finance Director], and Shannon [Stassen, City Administrator] to see how the process is going.”
Stainbrook said he also wants to give new commission members an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Charter, especially on the topic at hand of filling open positions for elected officials. “You also have to give them a little bit of time to go through the charter at least on what the discussion seems to be at this point,” said Stainbrook. “Just so they know the ins and outs, what is in the charter, what is the process, and where we go from there.”
The Ward 6 seat has been open since Cindy Gjerswold resigned on August 19 and Stainbrook has served as acting mayor since Guy Martin resigned on September 23 leaving Ward 5 without a vote at council meetings. There currently is no timeline for when those positions will be filled.
The Council also voted to fill one unexpired term on the Library Board, which will be filled by Bill Peterson and expires in 2020.
