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Commission now discussed Chapter 8 of the charter draft. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg stated that the City Administrator has misgivings <br />regarding Chapter 8. City Administrator recommended phrasing Section 8.01 <br />as saying something to the effect that in areas of public improvements and <br />special assessments, Council shall be governed by Minnesota State Statutes <br />and delete the balance of Chapter 8 as written by the Commission. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg then inquired as to the Charter Commission's disagreement <br />with Minnesota State Statute Chapter 429. <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman replied that there is no need for a charter if the City <br />goes with Chapter 429 because 429 allows council to dictate what will be <br />done in the areas of special improvements and assessments. The charter <br />puts the decision back in the hands of the people. <br /> <br />Susan Beale noted that the City Administrator is overlooking the fact that <br />this charter cannot do anything that is against State law anyway. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg inquired if Section 8.03 would allow for Council <br />adopting Chapter 429 as an ordinance. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bauerkemper noted that Council could possible adopt 429 as an <br />ordinance, but that ordinance would be in conflict with the charter and <br />the charter would pre-empt anything in that ordiance. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg inquired as to how the charter will affect existing <br />ordinances. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lichter replied that Chapter 12 addresses this question; existing <br />ordinances would have to be rewritten to comply with the charter. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg referred to Section 8.03 and suggested that maybe that <br />section is too vague, it seems like a catch all; that ~ouncil could be <br />called on the carpet because they forgot to take something into consideration <br />that they should have. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bauerkemper replied that it is council's job to be sure they <br />are thorough. <br /> <br />Commissioner Data summarized Chapter 8 as allowing people to object, legally, <br />to assessments and cause those assessments to go away if there is enough' <br />people in opposition. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg stated that the City Administrator feels that processes <br />created by the Charter make such programs as Tax Increment Financing too <br />time consuming and the city will lose potential tax base to other communities. <br /> <br />Susan Beale pointed out that Coon Rapids, Anoka and Bloomington are all <br />charter cities and have dealt in tax increment financing projects. <br /> <br />Commissioner Greenberg stated that he wants to be sure that this charter is <br />not an attempt to maintain a status quo of keeping future development out of <br />Ramsey. <br /> <br />Commission consensus is that restricting future development is not the purpose <br />of this charter. <br /> <br />CC/January 12, 1984 <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />