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CASE 1 <br /> <br /> WARD SYSTEM VERSUS AT LARGE <br /> By: Jo Thieling, Recording Secretary <br /> <br />Background,: <br /> <br />The Charter C~mmission discussed the ward versus the at large Council system at its June, <br />September argl December meetings in 1993 and again at its January 1994 meeting A <br />questionnaire ~sking the City's residents to comment on the ward versus at large system <br />had been published in the October Rarnsey Resident. At the December meeting, the results <br />of this quest~nnaire were discussed. The survey returns were not overwhelming, <br />however, the ~omments 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, however, 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. Cit~ Administrator Schroeder and some members of the Charter Commission <br />offered to contact different sources to receive more information on the ward system. <br />Mr. Larry Jol~nson, a Charter Commission member for the City of Coon Rapids was <br />present at thelanuary meeting. He discussed some of the issues the Coon Rapids Charter <br />Commission i~ dealing with, such as expanding their Council from five persons to seven, <br />and reviewing ~their Charter 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 informalJion 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 />Commissione~ Donovan 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. r~ <br /> <br />Commissione~ Mare stated she, too, had spoken with someone who may be able to offer <br />more information on the ward system. She hoped to have that information for the April <br />meeting. <br /> <br />Commission ~r Action: <br /> <br />No action necessary - informational only. <br /> <br />Reviewed bY-: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br /> <br />Charter: 04/2 ~/94 <br /> <br />/jmt <br /> <br /> <br />