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Further Discussion: Staff was also directed to supply information on how and when the ward <br />system can be established. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Peterson, Commissioners Kiefer, Donovan, Anderson, <br />Mare, and Vogt. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Netzloff, Spain-Brist, and <br />Swokowski. <br /> <br />With reference to primary elections, Mr. Goodrich advised that Rarnsey has never had one. <br />However, in the past, they have had 10-12 running for office at one time. Basically, this splits up <br />the vote. Even this last election where five people were running for two council seats, the top <br />two people received only 26% of the vote. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman discussed the different primary philosophies, concluding that they can change the <br />dynamics of the race. He added that if the City converts to the ward system, it would lessen the <br />need for a primary. <br /> <br />Consensus of the Charter Commission was to continue to study the possibility of instituting a <br />primary election for the City of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Upon inquiry, Mr. Norman advised that of 21 comparable-size cities in the northwest quadrant, 5 <br />are administrator and 16 are manager forms of government. Mr. Norman explained the literal <br />differences between the manager vs. administrator form of government. <br /> <br />Consensus of the Charter Commission was that the present form of City Administrator <br />government is working and therefore no changes are being considered. <br /> <br />Case #2: Term Limits Information <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich advised there was no need to discuss this item because in 1995 the Court <br />declared it unconstitutional to impose term limits on an elected official. Appointed positions, <br />however, can have term limits. <br /> <br />Case #3: Review Section 3.2.2 of City Charter Relating to Precinct Boundaries <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated it was unknown as to why the Charter was written with <br />language pertaining to three precincts, however at this time, it has become outdated, <br />cumbersome, and confusing. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Kiefer and seconded by Commissioner Mare to direct Staff to prepare <br />an ordinance for review deleting the last sentence of Charter Section 3.2.2 and present it at the <br />next meeting. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Attorney Goodrich advised that the Charter Commission must approve and <br />pass this on to City Council, and if they approve it, they must pass it on to the citizens with a <br />Charter Amendment Vote. <br /> <br />Charter Commission/January 28, 1999 <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br /> <br /> <br />