Agenda - Charter Commission - 05/19/2011

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Attorney noted that after review of the ordinance, the Charter Commission may approve, reject, or suggest a substitution language; however, they could not stop the process. A very lengthy discussion ensued but the Commission tabled action on this subject to a meeting in May. The Charter then discussed amending Section 4.1.1 titled Primary Elections. The Charter read as follows: "On the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September in advance of the regular municipal election, there shall be a primary election ... With the new bill passing that the primary election will be held in August, an amendment to the Charter language was necessary. The Commission approved the language as laid out by the attorney and recommended an ordinance be brought forward to the Council to be passed by a unanimous vote. (Such ordinance was passed unanimously by the City Council.) The Charter Commission met on May 5, 2010, and continued discussion of the amendment to Chapter 2 of the Charter relating to the City's Form of Government. Following discussion, the Commission voted to reject the ordinance as presented by the City Council and recommended that the Charter be amended so the City Manager form of government does not give the City Manager the authority to hire and fire department heads and leave that power with the City Council. (As an aside, the question went before the voters in the 2010 General Election and the voters chose to have the form of government remain Council - Administrator.) Late in year 2010, the Commission received resignations from Commissioners Cleveland and Frederick. Very truly yours, On behalf of the Ramsey City Charter Jo Ann M. Thieling, CMC City Clerk /jmt