Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/08/1996

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Mr. Goodrich replied in the affirmative and suggested Council adopt the form first. Motion by Couacilmember Zimmem~an and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to insert the words "by the ci[izens". Further discussion: Councilmember Beahen stated she is in agreement with Mr. Steffen. We should not start ~eparating who is citizens and who is not; however, if we insert some language that implies mor~ than who signed the petition, maybe the indications it was not the majority of the populous of theiCity that forwarded this petition. She would like to see no verbiage change. Councilmember [Beyer felt it should say as proposed by a citizen. Councilmember Peterson suggested not ad{ling any language. Councilmember Beyer stated she would insist identification of where these amendments came from. Councilmember Peterson suggested they should say the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government to which Mr. Hendriksen stated he would not object to that lanlfuage but the 500 people who signed the petition are not current members of the Ramsey Residerits for Responsible Government; however, that would be acceptable to him. Mayor Hardin a reed with Councilmember Peterson that it should be left as is. Councilmember Beyer felt that C >uncil would be doing a major disservice by not defining and indicating where these amendmm ts came from. Mayor Hardin pointed out that it says "by petition". Councilmember leyer stated that it would be a gross injustice to the residents. They should know where the amenc ments come from. Mr. Goodrich stated that the statement shall be sufficient to identify the ameri.dment clearly and to distinguish the question from every other question on the ballot. Council~:mber Beahen felt this does define the questions. It says as proposed by petition. She expressed ag :eement with Mr. Hendriksen that the 500 people who signed the petition are not a part of the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government. Mr. Hendriksen added that he spoke with a~,~east 500 ?ople. The Charter Commission's proposed amendment looks very much like ours. am sure .hese people would very quickly like to identify our question. He saw no reason why the City sho¢ld try to hide where this is coming from. Put it out and let the people decide. ; Amendment by Counciimember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to insert the words "by Ramse[y Residents for Responsible Government. Further discussiorj: Mr. Goodrich stated that it isn't precisely true that the petition is by that group; this is not entirely, accurate. Mr. Hendriksen suggested amending it to read "as proposed by a petition of 5% of the citizens". Mr. Goodrich clarified 5% of the total votes cast in the last election. He the~ suggested "by a citizen petition" to which Mr. Hendriksen agreed that was acceptable. Coun!cilmember Zimmerman commented that you could "go legal wrangling all night long but he is satigfied with his motion. Amendment carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Zimmerman and Beyer. Voting No: Councilmembers Beahen and Peterson. Motion by Coun~zilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to present Question #1 amel~dment as proposed by a petition circulated by the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Gove~?nment and signed by 400 citizens and that this should be the only question on the ballot. Further discussion} Councilmember Zimmerman felt that the other two questions can be taken up at another time. ~Councilmember Beyer added that we just got the language for the other two questions this eve~iing. Mayor Hardin stated that if all questions are not put on the same ballot, it will cost the City another $5,000. Motion failed. V°[ing Yes: Councilmembers Zimmerman and Beyer. Voting No: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers geahen and Peterson. City Council/April 23, 1996 Page 11 of 17