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University who was at one time the mayor for the City of Golden Valley. He advised that <br />if the system is working well, it should be left as is. He suggested that when problems <br />start to arise, there is generally time to make the changes then. <br /> <br />Commissioner Kiefer questioned what would happen if the City went to a ward system and <br />a ward was not represented during an election. <br /> <br />It was suggested that this would not likely occur in a city the population size of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen raised the question if the Commission felt there would be a different <br />quality of people running for office if they did not have to campaign city-wide. <br /> <br />City Administrator Schroeder pointed out that people on the Council in the last decade have <br />been long-term residents; however, there have been approximately 1,000 new homes built <br />in the City in the last four years. <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan felt it would not change the quality of people who are running for <br />office; however, it would narrow it down. He suggested that the Council, as is, has a <br />more overall concern for the City as opposed to neighborhood concerns. <br /> <br />Commissioner Swokowski felt that one of the reasons for a ward system is to protect <br />minority interests. <br /> <br />Commissioner Marn suggested with at large councils, the smaller interest groups do not <br />have representation. She mentioned the cost of campaigning deterring some people from <br />running for Council. Commissioner Marn also suggested that a change from something <br />that is still working, could possibly create problems. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen reviewed the items that have been discussed: 1) Term of Mayor <br />(should it be changed to four years - Discussion ensued regarding the fact that two years <br />doesn't seem long enough but that four years may deter a good candidate from seeking <br />election.); 2) Whether or not a Primary Election should be held (a lot of votes are split if <br />there is no Primary - however, the feeling is that it would be more expensive to campaign <br />for two elections - Primary and General - Commissioner Swokowski felt that a Primary <br />may possibly eliminate frivolous candidates; however, Commissioner Donovan felt that a <br />Primary may place undue financial burden on a candidate who's serious about running for <br />election. He suggested that each candidate could be required to bring in a petition, signed <br />by 1t30 people, in support of him/her running for Council. Chairperson Steffen suggested <br />raising the filing free from $5.00 to $50.00. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen informed the Commission that there is only one more Charter meeting <br />scheduled prior to the August filing dates; therefore, a decision should be made relating to <br />these issues. He stated he would like to pursue these issues to a change, however, he felt <br />he was not ready to do so at this time. He suggested taking the position that the Charter <br />Commission will not be attempting to make a change that would affect the 1994 election; <br />however, it will continue to study these issues prior to the 1996 election. <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan stated that the survey, regarding at large versus a ward system, <br />was non-committal and it appears if there are not problems, nothing should be changed. <br />However, he agreed with Chairperson Steffen's suggestion about not affecting the I994 <br />election, but to take the next year to study this issue and possibly make a change in the <br />1996 election. <br /> <br />Charter Commission/April 21, 1994 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />