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Commissioner Gamec asked what good a charter has done for Mounds View. <br /> <br />Mr. Dory - Because of our being able to get a charter in place, we have saved <br />millions of dollars in Mounds View. There was enough pressure on the former <br />council by the public to get a vote done on public improvements, but the <br />effect would not have lasted if we had not gotten a charter in. The public <br />voiced their opposition and suggested an alternate plan that would also allow <br />development,~but Council would not listen. City Staff, at that time, was <br />very strong and council was unknowledgeable. Mounds View's best part of the <br />charter is the public improvement section and initiative and referendum. <br /> <br />Mr. Loeding stated that the charter has made council much more responsive and <br />responsible to the people. <br /> <br />Mr. Doty pointed out another issue that should be given some attention, holding <br />local elections in a major election year. People tend to vote by party <br />affiliation and that leads to irresponsible voting on local issues. <br /> <br />Mr. Loeding pointed out that it is difficulat to get a true public feeling in <br />a presidential election year. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec noted that only 47 people attended Ramsey Charter Public <br />Hearing and 28 of those persons were City Staff and elected officials. It <br />seems that it really takes a controversial issue to get people out. <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman noted that it it is only negative issues that get people <br />aroused, then is the Commission to assume that the charter is a negative issue <br />to City Staff? <br /> <br />Mr. Doty and Mr. Loeding pointed out that Mounds View has a more aware citizenry <br />because of their charter. <br /> <br />Mr. McCarty pointed out that Mounds View's legal newspaper is the New Brighton <br />Bulletin, but the charter requires a bi-monthly newsletter. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec inquired as to Mounds View's situation before their charter <br />was adopted, did Staff or Council run the City. <br /> <br />Mr. McCarty stated that Mounds View City Staff, at that time, had Council in <br />a canned and rubber stamped situation and he has testimony from long tenure <br />city employees to back up that statement. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bauerkemper referred to Mr. Loeding's suggestion to have certain <br />issues by Council pass by a 4/5 vote and stated that most voting she sees <br />goes by a 4/5 vote anyway. <br /> <br />Mr. McCarty stated that it is very difficult to get a 4/5 vote when the issue <br />has shown to raise some controversy. Mounds View's budget was reduced by <br />$68,000 because of 15 people sitting in the audience who knew of their rights <br />under the charter. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec inquired if Mounds View's long term plan include the addition <br />of personnel. <br /> <br />Mr. McCarty replied that it did not, that expense comes in the annual budget. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec pointed out that a person is a major expenditure and why <br />shouldn't the city project that cost of personnel? <br /> <br />CC/October 20, 1983 <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br /> <br /> <br />