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/35 <br /> <br />Further discussion: Chairperson Peterson requested that the election fee stay at $5 to $10 rather <br />than $400. Commissioner Anderson questioned if the filing is regulated by the Charter. City <br />Attorney Goodrich replied that the filing dates would have to be reviewed. <br /> <br />Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Peterson, Commissioners Keifer, Spain-Brist, <br />Anderson, Donovan, and Vogt. Voting No: None. Absent: Marn, Netzloff, and Swokowski. <br /> <br />Case #4: Number of Council Seats <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated that during the Charter Commission meeting of January 28, <br />1999, the Commission reviewed information from a League of Minnesota Cities information <br />packet. Part of that information discussed the number of Council seats for a City Council. It was <br />the consensus of the Commission to continue discussion of the number of elected representatives <br />to the Ramsey City Council. <br /> <br />Chairperson Peterson stated that seven seems to be a common number. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied that that was the discussion at the last meeting. He explained <br />that in some cities there is an even number, but the Mayor does not have a vote. <br /> <br />Chairperson Peterson stated that there are a lot committees that meet frequently and increasing <br />the amount of Councilmembers could reduce some of the burden. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich reviewed a League of Minnesota Survey, which stated that the average <br />number on City Council seats was 5.5. <br /> <br />Commissioner Keifer stated that going to seven seats would add more diversity. <br /> <br />Commissioner Vogt stated that it would allow for more accountability. <br /> <br />Chairperson Peterson questioned if the increase of seats would depend on the City going with a <br />ward system <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan replied that there are plenty of people that could fill the positions so it <br />shouldn't be a concern. It would help to have more people to discuss an item. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he could make a case for either direction. <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan stated that if a ward system is put into place then the seats will probably <br />be increased to seven. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he is uneasy with completely overhauling the election <br />system ali at once, because they don't know the ramifications of combining it all. <br /> <br />Charter Commission/September 23, 1999 <br /> Page 6 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />