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Commissioner Childs stated that he has done what he can to get up to speed on this issue. It is <br />true you have been discussing this for a long time. He understood there is maybe a little sense of <br />urgency right now as far as wards go because of the census. He felt this is a good time to bring <br />these questions up. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman stated that it is a timing issue. If you do it during the election time, it is less <br />expensive than if you have to do it with a special election. There is a census issue with wards. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that after a census, you can only change to wards With.years ending in one <br />or two. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs said let's say you ask these three issues to the public. If they are okay with <br />it, he assumes it would be 2002 before anytlzing is done. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke stated she is rather perplexed at the consideration of these issues. She <br />pointed out how many new members there are on Council and added that the first time she even <br />heard about this proposition was at the last meeting with the City Council. At no time at any of <br />the three meetings they have had was anything indicated about the urgency of these issues and <br />getting it on the ballot. She felt this is being rushed, it's unfair for us to be put in the position of <br />putting this on the ballot. She felt that four of Contmissioners have not had a chance to be <br />educated enough to make a decision on this. She. did not feel that she had had enough time 'to <br />review this. She is ready to discuss these issues but as far as urgency, she did not understand <br />that. She wanted more discussion. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs stated that Charter is a rotating Commission and there will always be new <br />members. He is comfortable with the information presented and he feels he has a flavor for <br />what's been going on. There is an opportunity right now to look at this and he feels these are <br />three fair questions to ask the people of Ramsey. The next good opportunity would be a speciaI <br />election and you do not get a good sampling at a special election. He stated he has no problem <br />discussing this and if we all agree on one, we may as well put it on the ballot. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke stated she would like more discussion and asked if there is any real <br />urgency to get this going. <br /> <br />Commissioner Vogt responded that there is not necessarily an urgency but we have an <br />opportunity now with so many Charter Cormrdssioners here to have a healthy debate. He noted <br />the summary that was sent out with the Commission's packet that told what has happened with <br />these issues/questions. He stated he is less inclined to think we have to take a vote but reiterated <br />this is a good opportunity to talk about this. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that the only urgency is if it's to be on this ballot (November 2000). If it is <br />going to this ballot., the City Council needs to get this on their Tuesday night agenda. A special <br />election is also an option, however, .if the Commission is interested in voting on wards, you <br />could not have that done in the 2002 election. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - September 6, 2000 <br /> Page 3 of 12 <br /> <br /> <br />