Agenda - Charter Commission - 05/24/2001

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representation. There are a lot of issues to be addressed and he feels there are several qualified candidates in his area. If we pay our share, we should have the same representation as other parts of the City. Attorney Goodrich stated that if Charter were to choose to recommend these special election advisory questions, it is up to the City Council to order a special advisory election. The Charter Commission can propose a Charter amendment to adopt wards..without an advisory election, which could go directly to an election through Council. Chairperson Kiefer stated that we have been talking about the ward system for over three years. If citizens of Ramsey want a ward system, we have a very short window of opportunity to do this in. He referred to the State Statute that talks about the small amount of time to change the system because of the census. Commissioner Childs said it would be helpful to have some lines drawn so we know what we are looking at. Chairperson Kiefer felt that the entire City should not be wards. Commissioner Childs asked about sampling. Ms. Hunter stated that in her day to day job, she meets people from all over the City of Ramsey, and hears lots of comments. She felt that more people would be more involved if they have someone who represents them. She suggested this is a need and a desire of the citizens. Commissioner Henke noted that each of the current Councilmembers are assigned an area of the City to represent. Ms. Hunter thought that this would be more direct and personal. We do not want to divide the City but, at this point, it is divided and people feel they are not represented. Commissioner Henke stated that the only thing she sees as being different is the sewered and unsewered areas. She felt that 90% of the issues addressed are common to everyone in th'is City. Commissioner Vogt stated that it was mentioned that this discussion has been around for a long time. We have a lot of new people and we have pushed to get them educated in what the discussions have been. He felt that not being part of the City water area does come into discussion. He said to Ms. Hunter that the questions she proposed for the ward system are good questions. He noted Q2 and inquired what part~ of Highway #10. Ms. Hunter responded that this is relating to discussion of the City's Comp Plan; it is the area between Ramsey Boulevard and Armstrong Boulevard. Commissioner Henke stated that she has reservations about implementing a ward system and noted some disadvantages. Some examples she gave are as follows: There may not be a.ward interest that justifies separate representation. A voter in one ward may favor a candidate in Charter Commission- April 19, 2001 Page 5 of 9