Agenda - Council - 03/23/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # ! o AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 2 OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF RAMSEY RELATING TO THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THE MAYOR/COUNCIL PLAN By: William K. Goodrich, City Attorney Background: This subject was discussed at the Council's Work Session on March 9, 2010 and regular meeting on said date. City Ordinance #06 -35, effective April 26, 2007 amended the City Charter to the effect that the City's form of government, effective January 1, 2011 would change from a Mayor Council Plan (City Administrator) to a Council - Manager Plan. A copy of said ordinance is attached. Also attached is a December, 2009 League of Minnesota Cities publication explaining the difference between the City Administrator form of government, which Ramsey currently is, and a City Manager form of government which Ramsey is slated to change to on January 1, 2011 per above referenced Ordinance #06 -35. For your further information, attached are relevant excerpts from the City Charter meetings of December 5, 2006, and January 18, 2007 and the City Council meetings of December 28, 2006 and January 9, 2007. In addition, attached is my memorandum to Mayor Ramsey dated February 3, 2010 which explains the process necessary to amend the City Charter. Finally, attached is a proposed new ordinance for the City Council's consideration. If passed by a ma'ori vote of the City Council, and after Charter Commission review the ordinance can be presented to the voters at the next general election. All this needs to be accomplished by August 1, 2010 to get the referendum question on the November 2, 2010 general election ballot. Of course, the three other Charter Amendment proceedings referenced in my February 3, 2010 memo are also potential methods by which the Charter may be amended. Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance to cause the City's form of government to remain as the Mayor Council Plan. Funding Source: Not applicable