Agenda - Council Work Session - 09/08/2008

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Mayor Gamec stated that the Environmental Expo and Tree Sale will be held April 19, 2008 at the municipal center from 8:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. ' Northern Lights Soccer Alliance Fund Raiser at EI Azteca Councilmember Elvig stated that EI Azteca has agreed to give 50% of the food and beverage proceeds on April 14, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. to the Northern Lights Soccer Alliance Boys' SoccerTeam. " He encouraged everyone'to take part in this event. ' Webcasting Mayor Gamec annoUnced that the Council meetings are now available to be watched on webcast for those who may not have cable access. Case #5: CO"~,~,i~,~r J.:l.~,~,~lution in Support of Ramsey Residents in Regard to .-. __Ii S..Wdl Enrollment Preference City Attorney Goodrich stated that this item was discussed at the April 1, 2008 work session where the Council discussed various issues regarding the enrollment preference for City residents. He stated that Councilmember Look has retained Councilmember Dehen as his legal counsel in an action he has ~en against the 11I:R ___ 1_1 regarding their enrollment policy. He stated that the City is not part of the litigation against the school. He stated that staff has prepared a resolution for Council consideration that the City favors the interpretation that , would favor Ramsey pupils to have a preference in the enrollment process. He stated that PACT disagrees with this interpretation. He stated that it should be clear that the City does not want to hear about the intricacies of the case in hearing any comments. He reminded those present that the resolution is what is being discussed tonight, not the case. Mayor Gamec stated that he will allow representatives from both sides to speak, but did not want to hear the same comments repeated over and over. Dan'DeBruyn, 9000 168th Avenue NW, stated that he isa Ramsey resident in addition to being the PACT School Administrator. He stated that this is a difficult issue for both the City and the school and he appreciates the opportunity that he has had to speak to the Council at the past work session and 'tonight's meeting. He stated that there was a petition supporting open enrollment presented earlier today with 162 signatures, and over 50 of those are Ramsey residents who have children enrolled at PACT. He stated that PACT has enjoyed a very positive working relationship with the City over the last 4 years they have been located in the City. He stated that he hopes, regardless of the outcome of this court case, that this positive relationship will continue. He stated that PACT is happy to sit down with both the City 'and the school district to address the ongomg needs of the citizens of Ramsey for educational serVices. He stated that he would like to give some of the parents present tonight the opportunity to speak and would' also like to have the opportunity for the schools' attorney to speak. ' City Council! April 8; 2008 ' Page 5 of 20