The Brooklyn Park City Council approved charter amendments on first reading Tuesday that would streamline special elections and reduce costs for filling vacant council seats.

The amendments, recommended by the Brooklyn Park Charter Commission, would eliminate the current 45-day gap between declaring a vacancy and calling a special election. Under the proposed changes, both actions would occur at the same council meeting. A second amendment would allow candidates receiving more than 50% of votes in a special primary election to be declared the winner, eliminating the need for a subsequent general election.

Charter Commission Chair Dennis Siarra told the council the changes would have shortened the 2023 West District council vacancy by nearly three months and saved the city $17,639 in election costs. Council member Tony McGarvey, who won that seat, received 69% of the primary vote but still had to compete in a general election under current rules.

The council also proclaimed June as Pride Month and directed staff to fly the pride flag at City Hall during the month. The meeting included recognition of community heroes Kate Yanka and Tiffany Adams, who performed CPR to save a man's life at an indoor pickleball court in June 2024.

The charter amendments will return for second reading at the June 9 council meeting. The council also committed to responding to public comments about youth programming and community activity center funding at the next meeting.