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Motion carried. All present voted in favor. Absent: Commissioner Sherman. <br />COMMISSION BUSINESS <br />Case #1: Welcome to/Introduction of Newly Appointed Charter Commission <br />Member <br />Due to the resignation of Commissioner Steve Simenson, a vacancy existed on the <br />Charter Commission. Staff advertised to fill that vacancy and received notification from <br />Judge Timothy Bloomquist that Mr. Harry Niska has been appointed to complete Mr. <br />Simenson's term with an expiration date of December 31, 2010. Mr. Niska was sworn in <br />prior to tonight's meeting. Mr. Niska was introduced to and welcomed by the <br />Commission. <br />Case #2: Consider Revisions to Chapter 8, Section 8.4.4 of the Charter <br />Regarding Special Assessment Petition <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that Section 8.4.4 of the City's Charter provides that when <br />a local improvement is initiated by City Council resolution, without a citizen initiation <br />petition, if 50 percent of the property owners proposed to be assessed petition against the <br />local improvement, the improvement may not go forward. There is some interest by the <br />City Council to increase that 50 percent threshold to a different number or take that out <br />entirely. He noted that the Mayor and Assistant City Engineer are present to further <br />explain what they see as the need to amend this section. <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that the City has a Street Maintenance Program. <br />Annually we assess the streets and determine what needs repair. We usually do the work <br />on a schedule to preserve the integrity of the road. He explained the Program and added <br />that sometimes delaying sealcoating is not an issue but sometimes it really hurts the <br />ability of the life cycle of the road. It will lead to more costly repair if it is defeated by a <br />petition. It may have been a simple sealcoat — but now it's a more costly overlay. <br />Potentially the City would only pay for one half of the original amount. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that the City spends a lot of money every year doing streets but if <br />it's counter- petitioned, all that is flushed down the drain. <br />Mr. Himmer stated this is really only talking about road projects —not utilities. <br />Commissioner Deemer referred to 8.6. <br />Commissioner Niska stated or we could leave 8.4.4 as is and add a subsection that says <br />the percent would be higher. <br />Commissioner Field questioned if the Statute does not provide for a counter petition, why <br />do we. <br />Charter Commission — September 24, 2009 <br />Page 2 of 10 <br />