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B. ~c~ion 2.03;_~0unc~l Composition And Election: Further Discussion <br /> reserved until final review of pr9po~ed char~er: <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman stated that this open item for discussion was related to <br />ward systems. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lichter stated that he would like to see this issue resolved <br />in the very near future, that discussion should be resumed , questions <br />answered and vote taken tonight. <br /> <br />Commissioner Sieber stated that he is not in favor of the ward system because <br />Ramsey does not have the luxury of a well dispersed population throughout the <br />City but he is in favor of resolving the issue and voting on it tonight. <br />Commissioner Sieber stated the only compromise between at large and ward <br />is to eliminate the residency requirement which defeats the major purpose of <br />a ward system. <br /> <br />Commissioner Titterud stated that considering Ramsey is not totally developed <br />as yet and the population is not fixed, a readjustment of wards would be <br />required in the future. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec stated that wards serve no purpose other than providing <br />a representative for residents of various areas to talk to. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lichter noted that one councilperson and the mayor would be <br />elected at large. <br /> <br />Commissioner Sieber pointed out that the councilperson elected at large <br />will most likely be from the most populated area and that would not eliminate <br />the dominance problem. <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman stated that from the discussion thus far, it seems that <br />a ward system is to attain representation on council and a focal point for <br />input. Chairman Heitman stated that one compromise that appeals to him <br />is to elect council at large and designating councilpersons to represent <br />specific areas. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lichter stated that electing at large and appointing to specific <br />areas is not any better than at large council. He further noted that the <br />residents of the northwest corner of Ramsey feel isolated because they are <br />in the Elk River school district and that they would feel more involved with <br />Ramsey if they had a representative on council from their area. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec stated that those residents have a tax problem because <br />they are in the Elk River school and fire taxing district and the City of <br />Ramsey cannot help those persons with that problem. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bauerkemper stated that this Commission is striving to make <br />this charter perpetual, that it has been pointed out at prior meetings that <br />a ward system might be advantageous in the future, and if that is the case, <br />why not create a ward system at this time? <br /> <br />Chairman Heitman summarized the discussions so far: those in favor of a <br />ward system are so because of representation on council; those not in favor <br />of a ward system are so because the one person per ward requirement could <br />result in being represented by a totally unqualified person, that ward <br />systems create lazy council persons and do not represent the City as a whole. <br /> <br />CC/August 11, 1983 <br /> Page 4 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br />