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City Attorney Goodrich noted that consensus of the Charter Commission during the January 28th <br />meeting was that the main advantages recommending a conversion to the ward system were: (1) <br />Each geographical area of the City will be assured representation: (2) Councilmembers will be <br />able to have closer contact with their constituents and be more responsive to their needs, thereby <br />being more accountable to the people who elected them; (3) The voter is more likely to have <br />personal knowledge about the candidate seeking office and thereby will more likely make an <br />intelligent choice; and (4) The campaign costs to a council candidate are lower. He suggested <br />that the issue be placed on a general referendum ballot for the 2000 election. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that when the Mayor term was changed, he did not agree with <br />that because he did not want there to be a period of 4 years that the majority of the Council could <br />not be changed. When the change was made he did like the effective date so the date was set in <br />the future so it did not affect any incumbents. He stated that the Commission will avoid the <br />appearance that this may affect incumbents if it sets a date out beyond any dates of who is <br />currently sitting. Also the Commission should consider an equal number of at large members as <br />well as wards. <br /> <br />Commissioner Anderson stated that every person would vote a majority if they went to seven <br />person Council rather then a five. She also stated that she liked the idea of seven members to <br />help spread the responsibility. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that expanding the Council does not mean there has to be a <br />ward system or a primary election. <br /> <br />Commissioner Keller questioned it there was a ward system would it include at large candidates. <br /> <br />Chairperson Peterson replied that they would definitely include at large candidates. <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan stated that with a ward system, the City would have better government <br />and reduce the campaigning cost, allowing more people to run if they chose to do so. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich recommended a motion to include the consensus that was reached during <br />the previous Charter Commission meeting explaining that the main goal is to achieve better <br />government and representation, and to further explore the ward system for the City of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Chairperson Peterson suggested that they add the ward system be combined with at large <br />candidates with the Mayor being voted at large. <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan suggested the wording "would include an at large component". <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Donovan, seconded by Commissioner Keifer, to recommend that City <br />Council review the idea of a ward system including an at large component based on the <br />following consensus by the Charter Commission. (1) Each geographical area of the City will be <br /> <br />Charter Commission/September 23, 1999 <br /> Page 4 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />