Brainerd commission elects chair, names co-chair and approves minutes; directs wording change to charter chapter 2, section 30

The Brainerd Charter Commission on Monday completed several procedural actions: commissioners elected Andrew Ship as chair, appointed Jan Lambert as co-chair, approved amended minutes from Dec. 9, 2024, and directed staff to clarify charter chapter 2, section 30.

At the start of the meeting, commissioners moved and approved the election of Andrew Ship as chair; Ship accepted and then presided. Commissioners amended the agenda to add item 6A and subsequently appointed Jan Lambert co-chair. The commission approved amended minutes for Dec. 9, 2024 after members noted inaccuracies in the recorded adjournment; the minutes were corrected to reflect Commissioners Ship and Lambert as the movers/seconders for adjournment.

A separate motion instructed staff to simplify the wording of chapter 2, section 30 paragraph 1 so the charter refers to "public utilities controlled facilities" rather than listing older, specific categories (for example, "water works" or "electric light plants"). Jan Lambert moved the clarification request and it was seconded and approved by voice vote.

All procedural votes were decided by voice; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the portions of the transcript provided. Staff members present (including Tony, Max, Chris and Connie) confirmed they will draft the requested language changes and return them to the commission at a follow-up meeting scheduled within the timeframe set for other charter items.

The meeting ended after brief member reports and a voice vote to adjourn.