Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Spear.

Members present: Chambers, Fluegel, Kelley, Miller, Pauly, Spear

Others present: Olson, Sigurdson, Swanson, staff; Huwe, counsel

MINUTES (March 18, 2002)

Ms. Chambers’ MOTION: To approve the March 18, 2002, minutes as presented.

Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed by 5 members (Kelley absent).

Next meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2002.

The House Governmental Operations and Veterans Affair Policy Committee confirmed the appointments of Ms. Chambers and Mr. Miller. The appointments were also approved by the full senate and house.

 

 

Ms. Olson submitted the following written report:

The Board’s website should be searchable by April 18^th. The public will be able to look up contributions by the name of the contributor, the contributor’s employer, or the name of the recipient candidate or committee. We will continue to add more variables as time allows.

Personnel

Ms. Olson reviewed the performance of LuAnn Swanson, Office Manager, for the period April 2001 through March 2002. Ms. Swanson’s performance meets or exceeds standards in all instances. Based on the Middle Management Contract, Ms. Swanson will receive a step increase and an Achievement Award.

Ms. Olson reviewed the performance of Jeff Sigurdson, Assistant Executive Director, for the period January 2001 through March 2002. Mr. Sigurdson’s performance meets or exceeds standards in all instances. Mr. Sigurdson will receive a salary increase under the terms of the Manager’s Plan once it is approved.

John Nesbitt, Information Systems Manager, is on family leave for three weeks following the birth of a baby daughter on April 15^th. Consequently, staff is down 33%. Guidelines for requests for exceptions to the hiring freeze have not been set.

The Board’s bill passed both the Senate and House. There are minor differences in the bills that are being conferenced by Representative Rhodes and Senator Hottinger.

 

Board Action: Authorization of a third certified letter to compel the filing of a Lobbyist Disbursement Report due January 15, 2002, and collection of any accrued late filing fee and subsequent legal enforcement action if the report is not filed and the late filing fee is not paid. Two reminder notices were sent and staff attempted to contact the individuals by telephone.

C. Scott Cooper, OutFront Minnesota

Gena M. Doyscher, Global Crossing

James A. Meffert-Nelson, Minnesota Optometric Association

Bruce A. Miller, Common Cause Minnesota

Board Action: Authorization of a certified letter to compel the filing the Report of Receipts and Expenditures due January 31, 2002, and collection of any accrued late filing fee and subsequent legal enforcement action if the report is not filed and the late filing fee is not paid. Two reminder notices were sent and staff attempted to contact each individual by telephone.

Michael Dorn, treasurer, (Maureen) Anderson Volunteer Committee

Christopher Berg, candidate, Chris Berg for State Senate

Sarah Birrenbach, treasurer, (John) Birrenbach Campaign Committee

Greg Dolce, candidate, Campaign to Elect Greg Dolce

Joel Holstad, candidate, Committee to Elect Joel Holstad

Brett Johnson, treasurer, (Joellen) Johnson Volunteer Committee

Larry Lownie, candidate, Friends of Larry Lownie

Herminia Cardenas, treasurer, Neighbors for (Carlos) Mariani

Larry McKenzie, candidate, Larry McKenzie

James Forsythe, treasurer, Senator (Steven) Morse Volunteer Committee

Michelle Pone, treasurer, Eric Pone Volunteer Committee

Phil Ratté, candidate (Phil) Ratté for State Representative

Lisa Tarasar, candidate, Friends of Lisa Tarasar

Ray Wheeler, candidate, Ray Wheeler Volunteer Committee

Tom Workman, candidate, Tom Workman Volunteer Committee

Marianne Beck, treasurer, 43^rd Senate District RPM

Greg Dolce, treasurer, 61^st Senate District RPM

Christopher Berg, treasurer, 4^th Congressional District Republican Labor Federation

Joleen Schaefer, treasurer, Nicollet County DFL

Joe McCabe, treasurer, Watonwan County DFL

Robin Madsen, treasurer, AFSCME Council 14 PEOPLE Fund

Denise Fahl, treasurer, AFSCME Local 34 PEOPLE

Edward Fire, treasurer, IUE Committee on Political Education AFL-CIO

James Meffert-Nelson, treasurer, Minnesota Optometric Political Action Committee

Scott Cooper, treasurer, Minnesotans for Tobacco-Free Children

Mr. Fluegel’s MOTION: To authorize the actions specified in the consent matters.

Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed by 5 members (Kelley absent).

Mr. Spear’s MOTION: To approve Mr. Workcuff’s request to waive the $55 late filing fee due to extenuating circumstances.

Board members discussed the future mailing of reports to Mr. Workcuff.

Mr. Spear’s AMENDED MOTION: To approve Mr. Workcuff’s request to waive the $55 late filing fee due to extenuating circumstances and discontinue sending Mr. Workcuff certified letters in the future.

Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed by 5 members (Kelley absent).

Sheree Breedlove, candidate, Sheree Breedlove Volunteer Committee: $400, the current balance owed is $1,863.72.

Financial statement and agency deposits - Mr. Sigurdson submitted reports covering July 1, 2001, through March 31, 2002.

A tentative agenda for the Heartland Conference to be held at the Crowne Plaza Northstar in Minneapolis April 28 – 30, 2002, was available for Board members. Chair Kelley will be welcoming the attendees at breakfast on Monday, April 29^th. Ms. Olson invited all Board members to attend the conference.

Rules

Mr. Sigurdson reported that the Board’s rules took effect April 22^nd.

 

 

ADVISORY OPINION REQUEST

The following advisory opinion requests are public data.

Advisory Opinion Request #338 - Definition of the term agent in relation to independent expenditures (laid over from March 18, 2002, meeting)

The Board reviewed a draft advisory opinion based on the discussion at the March 18^th Board meeting.

Mr. Fluegel’s MOTION: To approve advisory opinion #338 as drafted.

Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed by 5 members (Kelley absent).

SUMMARY: ADVISORY OPINION #388 signed by Chair Douglas A. Kelley, April 23, 2002:

A consultant who provides services to a principal campaign committee is an agent of that committee. An expenditure is not independent if an agent of a principal campaign committee directly or indirectly influences the political party unit, political committee, or political fund to make the expenditure.

Chair Kelley arrived and assumed the duties of the chair.

Advisory Opinion Request #339 - Use of E-Mail and Websites in Political Campaigns (see Board minutes March 18, 2001)

The Board reviewed and discussed the request for an advisory opinion from Phil Madsen, treasurer, Jesse Ventura Volunteer Committee who asks several questions relating to the use of the Internet and the valuation of services provided by volunteers and the reporting requirements of those services.

Ms. Pauly’s MOTION: To lay over discussion of advisory opinion #339 to the next Board meeting.

Vote on MOTION: Unanimously passed.

 

 

Counsel Huwe presented the legal counsel report outlining the status of cases, which have been turned over to the Attorney General’s office (see copy of memo attached).

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne Olson
Executive Director