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<br />not by unanimous vote but by majority vote, should pass an ordinance going back to the Mayor- <br />Council (City Administrator) form of government. He stated this would then go back to the <br />Charter Commission for comment. He noted that the Charter Commission can suggest different <br />language or it can say nothing, but the statute requires the Council to provide the Charter <br />Commission with a comment period. He added the Charter Commission cannot veto or change <br />the language, and the Council would then decide whether to adopt any Charter Commission <br />recommendations or simply move forward to put the question on the ballot. He stated that all of <br />this needs to be accomplished by August I, 2010, which is approximately 12 weeks prior to the <br />November 2,2010 general election. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated he reviewed the previous meeting minutes regarding this issue and in <br />particular, the meeting where this was passed. He stated there was a public hearing held for <br />people to comment on the proposed ordinance with an effective date in 2007; however, the <br />effective date was changed following Charter Commission and City Council discussion. He <br />asked if another public hearing was held to allow public comment on the revised effective date. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that residents were apprised of the new effective date and had a <br />90-day opportunity to petition against it. He further stated he consulted with the LeFebvre law <br />firm, experts on charter law, and it was their opinion that this was adequate to protect the <br />public's interest. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig requested further information regarding charter cities and statutory cites. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich provided a brief history of Ramsey's election to become a home rule <br />charter city. He stated in the early 1980's, residents formed a Charter Commission under state <br />law and established a Charter to provide protection and more authority over city government <br />than the statutory limits. He explained a charter represents a Constitution for the city and in <br />theory allows more local control of a city's destiny compared to statutory cities. He added the <br />Charter controls what happens when there is a vacancy on the City Council, it establishes how <br />City Commissions are formed, it describes the duties of the City Administrator, and it outlines <br />the process for petitions and special assessments; however, on a day-to-day basis, the majority of <br />what is done in the City is regulated by state statute. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he attended the City Council meeting in 2006 when this issue was <br />discussed and now-Councilmember Dehen asked the Council why this was being discussed. in <br />light of the fact that within a number of weeks, a new Council was coming on board. He stated <br />that the Charter Cornmission previously requested that this issue go before the people and the <br />fact that it did not go before the public is the primary reason why it should now be brought <br />before the people to make it right. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey asked if the City Council could, under the City Manager form of government, <br />limit the City Manager's ability to hire and fire department heads and whether the City Council <br />could retain that power. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that Brooklyn Park operates that way and they have reserved <br />some of those rights; the Charter allows great flexibility with that type of thing. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session I March 9, 2010 <br />Page 2 of7 <br />