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Charter Commission and we will work on it. AND — to also think about raising the <br />petition threshold in 8.4.4 to 60% of the people or some number greater than 50 %. <br />Commissioner Bergfalk felt that if you shorten the timeframe, people will be angry. He <br />stated he did not feel the problem is with the Charter. <br />Chairperson Deemer stated that if no one comes in with a counter petition in 30 days, the <br />City Council can go ahead on the 31 day. <br />Commissioner Cleveland stated she did not feel inclined to be so generous. She felt the <br />Charter is fine — leave it as it is. She added that she would put any change on the ballot in <br />2010. <br />Commissioner Niska stated he would be open to 60 %. He added he very much <br />appreciates the fact that the people who are being special assessed have voice in the <br />process but feels a great deal of that voice is already in this process. He expressed he <br />would be in favor of a referendum. <br />Commissioner Field stated he is open to looking at additional percentage, but it creates <br />additional questions. The idea of justification of going from 50 to 60% on a counter <br />petition - long range planning — more cost — but I am moving it beyond the simple <br />majority — open but not sold on it. As far as a referendum, he stated he would lean in <br />favor that it would be a referendum issue but he felt it would fail if it went to a <br />referendum. <br />Commissioner Fredrick reiterated he has no problem with the Charter but he would be <br />open for discussion; however, he would be hard pressed to go with 60 %. <br />Commissioner Bergfalk stated he does not want to change the Charter. <br />Commissioner Shea stated that 51% has always worked. <br />Chairperson Deemer stated that it looks like in this Commission it will not happen unless <br />you ask for it. <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that Council could initiate a referendum or the citizens can bring <br />forward a referendum. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that it is not nearly that important to the Council. We just saw an <br />issue with dirt streets — we are not disappointed with it. <br />Motion by Commissioner Fredrick and seconded by Commissioner Cleveland to not <br />amend Chapter 8 of the Charter. <br />Further discussion: Assistant City Engineer Himmer commented that Commissioner <br />Fisher brought up an interesting viewpoint about the counter petition: If someone comes <br />Charter Commission — September 24, 2009 <br />Page 7 of 10 <br />