Agenda - Council - 01/27/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Haas Steffen expressed concern about a two-year delay for an election and felt that was too l'r.0ng. She suggested it should read that the issue could be voted on at the general election exce~ when the general election will not occur within a reasonable amount of time. She added that the:Charter Commission may call a special meeting at any time so that would not be a delay having ~em review it prior to signatures. She stated that delay is not her interest but she is interested in ifivolving the greatest number of residents in Ramsey. She recommended changing the language that says the Charter Commission shall within 30 days return the amendment to the proposers to within 15 days. She felt if this was changed to 15 and that language be amended to deal with an election sooner than two years, then this should be forwarded - the Legislature is in session now. Mr. Goodrich,.asked for Council direction on a time line for the election. Mayor Garnet.suggested it should not be longer than one year. Mr. Hendriks0n wondered why Council would want to delay the election for a year when there is no purpose to itc so. He reiterated that this bill is not what the citizens of Ramsey want. Mayor Garnet felt that spending $100,000 on a law suit is not in the best interest of the City of Ramsey. Councilmembe, r Haas Steffen stated she did not believe we will say this is representative of the citizens of Ramsey. We will say we believe this is a good government bill that will allow more people in on .'the passing of Charter amendments. State legislature is lef~ with deciding if they will change the state law - they will hold hearings. Mr. Hendrikson suggested that Council may find out how passionate the citizens feel about these Charter amendments if it is not changed to reassure that you are not taking away the citizens rights that they voted for in the first two Charter amendments. Motion by CoUncilmember Beahen and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to adopt Resolution #98-01-010 inr support of legislation amending State Statutes relating to Charters and Charter amendment procedures. This motion includes changing the language of 30 days to 15 days and that the election will take place within a year. Motion carriec[~. Voting Yes: Mayor Garnet, Councilmembers Beahen, Beyer and Haas Steffen. Voting No: Ceuncilmember Zimmerman. Case #9: ~ Authorize Hiring Community Development Assistant Acting City Administrator Waite Smith noted that Sean Walther is present and staff is recommending that Council hire him to fill the position of Community Development Assistant. City Council/January 13, 1998 Page 13 of 15