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

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APR ~4 ~9~ 04:4i RANDAL~ DEHN~OODRICH M E MO R ;~N D UM TO: CC: FROM: RE: DATE: Ramsey City Council Ramsey Charter Commission t~ ~ William K. Goodrich, City Attorney~ Amending Charter to Provide for a Four Year Mayor Term March 29, 1996 At the Council meeting on March 26, 1996 a discussion was held regarding the Charter Commission's recommendation to amend the City Charter by increasing the Mayor's term from two years to four years. A motion was made to place this question before the voters at the November, 1996 general election. Section 4.4 of the City Charter regulates this procedure. The section provides as follows: Special and Advisory Elections Except for Elected Office. The council may by resolution order any special or advisory election deemed appropriate by the council, for any reason, and provide all means for holding it. At least fifteen days prior notice shall be given by the clerk-administrator by posting a notice thereof ~n at least one public place in each election precinct, and by publishing a notice thereof at least once in the official newspaper of the city stating the time and the places of holding such election. Therefore, while the matter can be presented to the voters, the results are advisorv only to the City Council and not binding on the City Council. Another way which could be used to place this before the voters would be to follow the Charter Amendment procedure established in Minn. Stat. §410.12, Subd. 7. This is the procedure which was contemplated by the Charter Commission in the case presented to the council on March 26. The City Council upon recommendation of the Charter Commission may amend the Charter by Ordinance. The statute states: An ordinance amending a city charter shall not become effective until 90 days after passage and publication... Within 60 days after passage and publication of such an ordinance, a petition requesting a referendum on the ordinance may be filed with the city clerk. Such petition shall be signed by qualified voters equal in number to two percent of the total number of votes counted in the last state general election or 2,000, whichever is less. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I