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Commissioner Sherman stated she likes the idea of making the language simpler. <br />Chairperson Field suggested maybe having a subcommittee as a working committee to work on <br />this language. <br />Commissioner Deemer commented that the Planning Commission spent four years reconfiguring <br />Chapter 9 of the City's Code. It takes time. <br />Commissioner Anderson suggested maybe studying the language and then having a brainstorm. <br />Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Deemer to postpone any action, <br />work on ideas, bring them back to a meeting to brainstorm. <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Field, Commissioners Anderson, Deemer, Bendtsen, <br />Niederhaus, Niska, Shea and Sherman. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Sivertson. <br />Another item for review was the suggestion by a resident to redo the Charter into an article <br />format like the Constitution. <br />Commissioner Sherman asked if it makes a difference. <br />Chairperson Field stated that he looked at the model Charter he was given by the resident and it <br />does have articles and a preamble but it is substantially the same. <br />Mr. Goodrich offered that the resident should be informed that the Charter Commission is <br />working to make the language in the Charter more clear and easier to understand. We are <br />incrementally doing as the resident suggested. <br />Commissioner Niska commented that the model charter shows articles where we have chapters. <br />Mr. Goodrich offered that he sees Mr. Surma frequently and he would talk to him about what the <br />Charter Commission is trying to accomplish. <br />Chairperson Field asked if Mr. Surma could point to a certain section of our Charter. We do not <br />want to lose legal implications and protections. <br />Commissioner Deemer asked if we could ask Mr. Goodrich to draft a letter to Mr. Surma saying <br />that we are trying to make this more understandable but feel we do not find it necessary to <br />change the format to do that. <br />Commissioner Niska suggesting adding that we would welcome specific examples. <br />Commissioner Bendtsen agreed that specific examples could be warranted. <br />Chairperson Field stated that Mr. Surma could provide the Commission with a specific section <br />and we would provide a response. <br />Charter Commission/ April 19, 2012 <br />Page 7 of 10 <br />