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CASE 1 <br /> <br />WARD SYSTEM VERSUS AT LARGE <br />By: Jo Thieling, Recording Secretary <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />ThcCharter Co~sion discussed the ward versus thc at large Council system at its June, <br />September and December meetings in 1993 and again at its January 1994 meeting A <br />questionnaire as ~king the City's residents to comment on the ward versus at large system <br />had been publish_ed in the October Ramsey Resident. At the December meeting, the results <br />of this questionBaire were discussed. The survey returns were not overwhelming, <br />however, the comments did suggest that something other than the at large Council system <br />should be discussed. Consensus of the Commission was that the issue warranted more <br />discussion, howiver, the feeling was maintained that "if it's not broken, don't fix it". <br /> <br />The Commission felt theY needed more information regarding the pros and cons of both <br />systems. City ~strator Schrocder and some members of the Charter Commission <br />offered to contac[ different sources to receive more information on the ward system. <br /> <br />Mr. Larry Johnson, a Charter Commission member for thc City of Coon Rapids was <br />present at the January meeting. He discussed some of thc issues the Coon Rapids Charter <br />Commission is d~aling with, such as expanding their Council from five persons to seven, <br />and reviewing their Charier for antiquated language and gender related items. <br /> <br />Commissioner Swokowski stated he had spoken with a gentleman who offered to "dig up" <br />some informatiofi from when St. Paul went to a ward system years ago. He was going to <br />see if this person Could attend the Charter meeting in April. <br /> <br />Commissioner D0novan had gotten the name of a professor from the Humphrey Institute <br />and he was going to try to reach him prior to the April meeting to see what information he <br />may have. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mare stated she, too, had spoken with someone who may be able to offer <br />more information on thc ward system. She hoped to have that information for the April <br />meeting. <br /> <br />Commission Action: <br /> <br />No action necessary - informational only. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br /> <br />Charter: 04/21/94 <br /> <br />/jmt <br /> <br /> <br />