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Mr. Goodrich presented information on the percentages of voters in the past special elections. <br />He explained that Commissioner Deemer is saying this low number of people should not be <br />making these decisions for the entire City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Milless felt that 20 or 25 percent would be enough to get things changed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke stated she sees these figures that were handed out differently than the other <br />people. These votes represent what citizens want. We .all, or the majority of the people, live on <br />large lots. If some of these protections were not in here, it would cost her (Henke) $40,000 for <br />City sewer and water. This is the reason why this part of the Charter was passed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer inquired why Commissioner Henke believed so few people turned out for <br />the special elections. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke stated it was because they were special elections. She stated she can go <br />through her neighborhood and there are many people who are too busy to vote. This proposed <br />language would be forcing the people to go out to vote. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs stated that we are saying we want a larger number of people making a <br />decision for our City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke stated that that two things have been presented to our City Council in the <br />last year and it was not just one group, it was 10 other neighborhoods across this City. She felt <br />this was not just a special interest group; this was a representation of the City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Milless stated that this amendment would hopefully help ensure that people get <br />out and vote. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere stated that the Commission needs to table this for now. The point of this <br />wording is that our changes would not be made on a whim. She stated she would like to look at <br />more palatable numbers, i.e. 20 to 25 percent instead of a majority of the registered voters. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke stated that 30 to 40 percent would be closer to the majority. <br /> <br />Commissioner Milless felt that 25% is a better, fairer number of registered voters. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer stated he wants the State Statute 410 process in the language Of the <br />Charter. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that we are talking about a new 5.9 which has nothing to do with <br />petitioning. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs summarized that recall will be removed, and the wording would reflect 25 <br />percent of' the registered voters. <br /> <br />Charter Commission/august 9, 2001 <br /> Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />