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process is taken away, could we look at the City becoming unrestrained and maybe that is <br />why we have these checks and balances; however, some might be over the top with <br />resistance. <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that the City has limited funds and there are <br />checks and balances for the City. <br />Commissioner Fredrick stated that he agrees with the Charter. It works. You take away <br />the petition or counter petition process, you could have four people out of ten making <br />your neighborhood decisions. It's an economic problem right now -people are broke. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that the reality is it does come down to the economy. He thought it <br />was a good idea because of these five miles of dirt streets. Everyone is paying for them <br />over and over again. Maybe it would be better if the City paid for the whole thing. He <br />added that you can spread assessments out over a 10-year period. <br />Mr. Himmer stated that we are not here to tell you to get rid of the counter petition <br />process. We are thinking of a number that's more like a super majority -evaluate 50% <br />+1. <br />Commissioner Niska stated that the 8.4.4 protection does not exist in statutory cities. He <br />wondered if other charter cities have similar provisions and, if so, what number they use. <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated he really didn't know. <br />Chairperson Deemer stated that he agrees with the comments made about the Charter <br />working and he sees two easy changes. 8.4.1 - if 60 days was changed to 31, it would <br />not conflict with 8.4.2 and if in 8.4.4, it was changed to 30 days, now we have cut our <br />timeframe down. That would help. He stated he could also see changing 50% to 3/Sths. <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that 8.4.2 is dealing with petitions by property owners. 8.4.3 is a <br />petition in favor of the improvement. If the improvement is petitioned for -you need 30 <br />days for the petition -and then 30 days to allow a petition against the improvement - so <br />you do need 60 days. You do not need it under 8.4 because the improvement is <br />petitioned by the City, not by the residents. <br />Chairperson Deemer stated 8.4.1 - if the petition does not arrive by day 31, then the City <br />Council could order the project. <br />Mr. Goodrich stated under 8.4.3 people can come back. <br />Chairperson Deemer reiterated that the timeframe could be cut. <br />Chairperson Deemer asked if there was a consensus of the Commission to ask the City <br />Council to think about shortening the timeframe and if Council agrees, come back to the <br />Charter Commission -September 24, 2009 <br />Page 6 of 10 <br />-6- <br />