Minutes - Charter Commission - 10/17/1991

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Case #2: Further Discuss Chapter 8 The Commissioners offered suggestions for change to Chapter 8 of the City Code. Section 8.05.04 in the first sentence assumes that there is a City newsletter, this may not always be the case. Perhaps a phrase saying something like "if there is one." could be added to the end of the sentence. Mr. Schroeder stated that in Section 8.05.06 there is a sixty day waiting period for ordering local improvements, Statute 4.29 only requires a thirty day waiting period and that thirty days should be sufficient to gather any necessary information. Chairman Steffen inquired as to exactly how the numbers are counted; whether it is according to parcel size or strictly by number of persons. Chairman Steffen also stated that we need a method by which improvements are made rather than just discussed. Mr. Schroeder stated that according to Statute a petition can be presented by owners of 35% of the frontage. Chairman Steffen commented that is how it should be as those persons who have to pay for it have the most say. Mr. Schroeder commented that the one year moratorium specified in Section 8.05.13 should be reduced to six months. Chairman Steffen stated that it could a petition could be presented again after a period of six months by those who may have changed their mind and decided they do want an improvement. That way it is not a case of City Council badgering people into agreement. Mr. Schroeder felt that was agreeable. Mr. Schroeder also mentioned that there was an item the Statute 4.29 that was not in our Charter; that being if a park improvement was proposed, the Park Board must also give their approval. Chairman Steffen stated that sealcoating is more like regular maintenance rather than an improvement. Chairman Steffen feels that sealcoating should not be put up to a vote, because if it was voted down, the street would waste away and would need replacement in just a few years. Commissioner Goode also believes that sealcoating is normal and customary maintenance. Case #3: Schedule Next Charter Commission Meeting The next Charter Commission meeting will be scheduled fgr Thursday, January 16, 1992. All Commissioners will be sent a copy of Minnesota .Statute .~.4t29.021 - .061 for their review one month prior to the meeting. S¢~4~ C¢0.¢¢" COMMISSION INPUT Commissioner Goode asked Mr. Schroeder about how utilities such as cable television are franchised or granted permission to operate in Ramsey. His neighborhood is unable to get cable television services. Charter Commission / October 17, 1991 Page 2 of 3