Agenda - Council - 04/09/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE SPEC IIAL ELECTION - PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT By: Jo Thieling, Recording Secrethry/Elections Coordinator Background: On February 27,, 1996, Terry Hendriksen, representing the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government, pregented the Ramsey City Council with a petition proposing a Charter amendment as it pertains to residential hook-up to City sewer and water. Staff verified that the petitions contained 441 signatures of registered voters. There has been discussion relating to the number of signatures neede0 to cause an election. Enclosed are copies of State Statutes and some memorandums pertaining to the subject. There has also been some discussion about when the petition should be considered actually accepted. The question raised is whether or not the petition has to first be presented to the Charter Commission and ihey, in turn, forward it on to Council. The Charter Commission was sent a copy of the proposed amendment; however, they have not held a meeting relating to it at this time. Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 1996 at which time they will discuss this proposal. To meet notificatiOn of election deadlines with the County, etc., Staff is proceeding as if February 27 were the date t/ie petition was received, which would mean that a special election would have to be held on or bef~e May 27. The date proposed for the special election is Tuesday, May 21. This date does not intent'ere with any already scheduled City meetings, it allows for City Hall to be open for the two hours On the Saturday prior to the election and the two hours the Monday night before the election to accept absentee ballots. If it is determined that the 90 days does not begin until after Council receives the petition from the Charter Commission, it is just a matter of contacting the County and rescheduling the election, if that is Council's desire. It is possible to just proceed with the date of May 21. For your information, staff researched mail balloting but found it to be too cost prohibitive. Staff estimates the cost of a "regular" election to be about $5,000, whereas a mail election will cost upwards of $12,000. Also for your information, had this petition been submitted so that it would coincide with the regular general election, the only cost to the City would be the extra space on the ballot. Staff is awaiting a call back from Anoka County Elections with that figure. City Attorney Goodrich will be prepared to answer any questions at the meeting. Council Action: Based upon discussion. Reviewed by: Recording SecretarY/Elections Coordinator City Attorney CC: 04/09/96 Copies also distributed to: City Administrator Finance Officer Administrative Services Manager /jmt