Minutes - Charter Commission - 10/27/1983

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3. Current Form Of Government Committee - Commissioner Gamec - No report at this time. Commissioner Gamec noted that there is public interest in the Charter Commission and it would be advantageous for City Hall and Commission members to have the agendas available a reasonable amount of time prior to the meetings. Commissioner Gamec also noted that reporter Carolyn Thompson should be notified regarding agenda items and special care should be taken to also notify her when 3 or more Charter Commission members are meeting at other than a Charter Commission meeting in order to avoid getting caught on the open meeting law. Chairman Heitman stated that he prepares the upcoming agenda based on the minutes from the previous meeting and he has not been receiving those minutes on time. Commissioner Sieber inquired as to who is responsible for coordinating the agendas for other Ramsey commissions. Commissioner Gamec stated that City Staff and chairmans of each particular commission prepare the agendas Commissioner Sieber noted that the Ramsey Charter Commission is the only commission that is self-sufficient and that it should receive the same services from City Staff that other commissions do because it is putting too much of a workload on Commissioner Heitman and it would insure that City Staff is aware of upcoming agenda items. Commissioner Gamec also noted that there seems to be a problem in getting copies of the charter rough draft/cover letter out to all Ramsey commission members and department heads at City Hall. Commissioner Sieber stated that some of these mechanics of operating should fall into the same mechanism as other commissions in Ramsey - City Staff. Chairman Heitman stated that the Commission is real close to having a real good rough draft, that he doesn't know how much more government work he can do on his company's time, but he is willing to turn out one more draft and if there are any more changes after that, someone else will have to be responsible for the retyping. Commissioner Gamec stated that it would take a lot of the heat off the Commission members if City Staff were aware of what is happening on the Charter Commission and also commented that there is a very intelligent Staff at Ramsey City Hall. Susan Beale - Commented that City Staff is so intelligent that they speak up even when they don't know all the facts. Commissioner Bauerkemper stated that she overheard a City Staff member comment at the Charter Commission public hearing that a charter would mean that everytime the public questioned Council on an issue it would cost the City $10,000. Commissioner Gamec replied that when you serve on city commissions and councils you have to learn not to let all you hear get to you. CC/October 27, 1983 Page 2 of 14