Minutes - Charter Commission - 01/16/2003

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Mr. Norman stated that Ms. Henke continues to state that nowhere was there information on Chapter 14 and she has been corrected - the citizens were told where the language could be found, lie suggested that Ms. Henke retract her statement about the information not being available to the residents. Commissioner Henke stated that she felt the Commission has a right to furnish the citizens with the amendment in the Ramsey Resident. Chairperson Vogt stated that we can only educate the people to a certain extent. He added that he would be opposed to adding more pages to the Ramsey Resident and incurring a larger cost to the residents. Motion by Commissioner Henke and seconded by Steve Simenson that any changes made to the Charter be published in the Ramsey Resident for the citizens to review. Further discussion: Commissioner Simenson realized a mailing is expensive and added that he had questions so he just called City Hall. Chairperson Vogt inquired if the Charter Commission has the authority to place articles in the Ramsey Resident. Attorney Goodrich stated that the Charter Commission can recommend to the City Council that this happen. He did not know if the Commission had a right to expend general funds. Chairperson Vogt stated that he would like to ask the City Council if the Charter Commission has the authority to expend money or can we get it to be able to put extra pages in the Ramsey Resident. Commissioner Henke stated if she amends her motion to propose this to the City Council that it be done, there's no reason for the Commission to check on it. Chairperson Vogt stated he wants to be diplomatic - he wants to ask the question of what's Council's thoughts on this whole thing - the publications and expending money to do so. Commissioner Henke stated she is willing to amend her motion. Chairperson Vogt stated he would like to ask the question of Council himself. Commissioner Miltess inquired if Mr. Goodrich would have to do the research on this. Mr. Goodrich replied that he would not if Ms. Henke's amendment is approved. Commissioner MiIless felt that there needed to be more research done on the legalities. Commissioner LaMere added also logistics - there's too many unknowns. Chairperson Vogt stated he would ask the City Council that question. If they are opposed, then we can come back and work on a different plan. We will give people three to four avenues to look at information regarding a Charter amendment. Commissioner Simenson stated he would withdraw his second as there is a lot of time to talk about this issue. Commissioner Henke stated that you have the Anoka Count), Union, which you pay to publish in, the website and presentations on the Cable channel, all which actually cost. She suggested it isn't as if putting it in the Ramsey Resident would be more expensive. Commissioner Milless stated that you ~cannot force people to read the information and you cannot force an interpretation. Commissioner Deemer stated that it was brought up there was a cost to televising the information about the proposed amendments. He stated that Councilmember Kurak gave up some time as well as the City Administrator's report so there was no additional cost to broadcast the Charter information. Commissioner LaMere noted that Ms. Henke had referred to only 10 words on the ballot and questioned where that information came from. Commissioner Henke stated she was quoting language from the meeting where the Council put the amendment on the ballot. Mr: Goodrich offered to find out where the "10 words" came from. Motion withdrawn. Charter Commission - January 16, 2003 Page 7 of 8