Agenda - Charter Commission - 09/06/2001

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COMMISSION BUSINESS: Case #1: Request for Change of Date of Special Election City Administrator Norman explained that the Charter Commission had formally requested the City Council to establish a special election to consider Charter amendments for a primary election and ward system, during a meeting held on July 19, 2001. During the regular Council meeting of July 24, 2001, the Council established October 16, 2001, as the date for a special election. Staff has had an opportunity to review the calendar and it has been noted that major municipal elections will be held in both Minneapolis and St. Paul three weeks later, on November 6, 2001. With the publicity surrounding major elections on November 6, staff would recommend moving the Ramsey special election to November 6, in order to benefit from the publicity surrounding other elections in order to bring about a better voter turnout. Staff has also been informed that there is an Anoka-Hennepin School District Board election and possibly a referendum which means the cost o'f the election would be shared with the School District. City Attorney Goodrich informed the Commission that the November 6 date is outside the day time fi'ame, however, Minnesota Statutes provides that the Charter can recall the proposed amendments forwarded to the Council and then resubmit those same proposed amendments to the Council. Commissioner Milless felt it would certainly be beneficial to split costs. Vice-Chairperson Childs stated that it would have been his foremost desire to have an election on Election Day as he is not an advocate of special elections. Commission Milless suggested that a November election would probably bring out more voters. Commissioner Deemer stated he, too, is in favor of combining the election. He added that he thought Chapter 410 gave the leeway that if there is to be an election coming up within six months, then you do not have to abide by the 90-day rule. Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner Milless to recall those Charter amendments forwarded to the City Council by the Charter Commission action on July 19, 2001, and to resubmit the same proposed amendments to the City Council at its August 14 , 2001 meeting, and to recommend that the City Council establish the special election date for November 6, 2001. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Vice-Chairperson Childs, Commissioners Deemer, Milless, Henke and LaMere. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Vogt, Commissioners Bertzyk, Ebel and Swanson. Charter Commission/august 9, 2001 Page 2 of 7