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Mr. Burggraaff stated that you need to find a balance where you don't <br />create more risk for a developer than he would face in another community <br />and not take away citizen participation. <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman summarized Mr. Burggraaff review of Chapter 7 as don't <br />bother to plan, don't tell them what you have planned if you have and a <br />city newsletter is too restrictive. Charter Commission'~s intent is not <br />to strangle Staff or development, but not to give a free rein either. <br /> <br />Mr. Burggraaff replied that all kinds of things will be happening in Ramsey <br />in the next 20 years and the city will be publishing all kinds of information. <br />You have to let the process of democratic government work a little bit. <br />People elected to city council become proud of what their cities are doing <br />and are anxious to publicize so. You have elections to correct situations <br />where you feel there is an effort to keep information from the public. <br /> <br />Mr. Schnelle pointed out as an example of the system working the fact that <br />Council could have adopted the assessment ordinance without going after <br />citizen involvement in the form of an ad hoc committee and public hearings. <br />The outcome of that citizen involvement is this Charter Commission. <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman agreed that the track record is there and inquired as to <br />what guarantee there will be with future councils. <br /> <br />City Accountant Moen referred to Section 7.06.01 and inquired if this could <br />be interpreted as you can always increase fund balance but you can never <br />decrease fund balance. <br /> <br />Mr. Burggraaff stated that he assumes it means they can increase expenditures <br />above the mount of money that is available to be spent. <br /> <br />City Accountant Moen replied that the way the charter is written it does not <br />show fund balance as available resources. It specifically states 'estimated <br />income' which refers to a specific period of time. <br /> <br />Mr. Burggraaff suggested that wording such as 'estimated funds available' <br />be considered for incorporation into Section 7.06.01. <br /> <br />City Accountant Moen referred to the Long Term Plan, specifically the Public <br />Service Program and stated a 5 year projection would be difficult and is <br />there a possibility of the charter limiting it to a two year projection. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec, speaking as a citizen and councilmember, stated that he <br />would rather see a 5 year projection for both capital improvements and pubtl.c <br />service. <br /> <br />Mr. Burggraaff replied that as cities grow, 65-75% of a city's budget <br />represents compensation to employees and if you try to project annual <br />operating costs you will have. to project employees costs over the/next few <br />years and negotiation labor contracts, school district increases~ and <br />cities are not anxious to make public multi-year.plans for employees~'to <br />use against them. For operating purposes, at least, do not'adopt it by <br />ordinance; what good will it do if it is only a plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bauerkemper replied that she wants to see the direction the <br />City is heading. <br /> <br />CC/November 10, 1983 <br /> Page 10 of 11 <br /> <br /> <br />