Minutes - Charter Commission - 09/08/1983

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2. Summary Of Charter Commission Expenditures Through. August by Commissioner Bauerkem~er: No report at this time. B. Information Committee - 1. Public O~inion Committee - Commissioners Sieber and Buchanan: Commissioner Sieber stated that the Ramsey Charter Commission Public Opinion Committee has been requested by the Ramsey Coalition to address their meeting on the 20th of September at Ramsey City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to let the Coalition know the progress made by the Charter ~ommission so far. 2. Charter Advantage Committee - Commissioner Data: Commissioner Data stated that in his personal observation, the Charter Commission has been meeting since June and in the last two months he has not heard anything that would refute the list of advantages that has been compiled -- citizen participation, unique community requirements, flexibility, rights of initiative and referendum, progressive towards citizen understanding and communication. Commissioner Titterud disagreed that a charter would improve city - public communications. Commissioner Data replied that communication would depend on how active the community is but that the rights are there if the citizenry chooses to use them. Commissioner Titterud replied that the only time people get interested in an issue is when it affects them personally. Commissioner Data stated that if the City government is a good one, then going to charter will not make a whole lot of difference and that he is in favor of a charter. Commissioner Titterud commented that it has been agreed to meet twice a month and now it has been suggested that the Commission double it's meeting dates and he inquired as to why. Commissioner Sieber replied that meeting dates would not be doubled, but rather if the charter draft is not completed by the end of tonight's meeting the Commission will meet on Saturday in order to complete the draft. It has been suggested that there is pressure from the public for the Commission to hold a public hearing,' therefore there is pressure to finish the draft. Commissioner Bauerkemper stated that as soon as the Charter Commission has a product for the public to focus their attention on, the more effective the Charter Commission will become. She also noted that there is a lot of work to be accomplished after the draft is completed. 3. Current Form Of Government - Commissioner Gamec: No report at this time. CC/September 8, 1983 Page 2 of 11