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<br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she wanted to make is clear that the City is not a <br />party to this lawsuit and thinks considering this resolution is inappropriate. She stated <br />that she feels insuring access to quality and diverse educational opportunities should be a <br />goal of the Council, but doesn't understand why the Council hasn't had a broader <br />discussion about ways to achieve that in our community and invite PACT and the Anoka <br />Hennepin District to have that conversation. She stated that she thinks it is a misuse of <br />Council time and hopes it is the last time it is before the Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated the judge indicated that she thought the word "town" was <br />too restrictive considering the author's intent and reiterated that this did not fail based on <br />merit. He stated that a point that he feels needs to be made is that Mr. DeBruyn brought <br />this to the Council because it had been tabled for a court decision and a court decision <br />has not been made. He stated that language of this resolution was recommended by City <br />staff, but it really doesn't mean a lot. He stated that the heart of the issue is whether the <br />City will take steps to make sure our kids are provided for. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he made the statements that Mr. DeBruyn read in his <br />statement and he stands by them. He stated that the PACT charter school has a position <br />that is reasonable, and he and Councilmember Look also have a reasonable position and <br />he doesn't think either side is evil. He stated that the courts have the case and will make <br />a decision and . whatever decision is made, after the appeal process, he will live with that. <br />He stated that in response to Councilmember Strommen's call for a forum, he believes <br />that there has been one, at the legislature. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig returned to the Council Chambers at 8:24 p.m. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that extensive discussion took place and he feels it is <br />reckless to say that there weren't those discussions, because there were. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she was talking about a community forum to <br />discuss a potential City roll to foster quality and diverse educational opportunity and was <br />not referring to the law. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Look, seconded by Councilmember Dehen to Adopt the <br />Resolution in Support of Ramsey Residents in Regard to PACT Charter School <br />Enrollment Preference. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he doesn't disagree with the <br />resolution's "Whereas" statements. He stated that his objection is to the timing of this <br />resolution and the lawsuit. He stated that he didn't think they should be tied together, so <br />he will not support this. Councilmember Olson stated that she doesn't think any city has <br />any business passing resolutions that pass judgment on a Statute that governs charter <br />schools. She stated that it isn't only PACT, but every charter school in the State that will <br />be impacted. She stated that this is a City and we are not in the education business. <br />Councilmember Look stated that this resolution is in support of how the City interprets <br /> <br />City Council / September 23, 2008 <br />Page 13 of21 <br />