Minutes - Charter Commission - 07/14/1983

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Con~issioner Buchanan also stated that P&Z feels impotent as a Commission and wondered if the Charter could boost their position. It was noted that EDC is tentatively scheduling their next regular meeting on the evening of August 10, 1983 in order to enable the Charter Commission Public Opinion Committee attending and obtaining their input regarding a charter. Commissioner Gamec stated that EDC's main concern regarding a charter, is that a charter will get involved with financing. Commissioner Greenberg noted that this Commission was formed because of a petition, that the persons responsible for that petition must be knowledgeable in the area of charters and they should be approaching the Charter Commission with their information. Commissioner Buchanan stated that he was one of the persons involved with the petition, that it came about because of sewer and water and what was learned during the sewer and water issue, that Council bas the final word and the citizens are powerless. Commissioner Data concurred that the sewer and water issue was the stimulus for the petition and people realized they have no power to do anything, even if they wanted to. He further co~ented that people have grown to trust the present administration, but what about future a~rLinistrations? Chairman Heitman and Commissioner Sieber agreed that rights were -a~vocat-ed with a representative type of government and they want those rights back. ~)~ ~ ~q~ Commissioner Gamec noted that such complicated issues could come to a vote of the public with the charter, workman's compensation for instance, and the general public is not informed enough in these areas to vote responsibly and for the best interest of the City where elected officials are more knowledgeable and informed. Commissioner Sieber noted that the purpose of the charter is to obtain long term stability for the City. Commissioner Titterud stated that initiative and referendum could create special interest groups. Coramissioner Buchanan stated that reasons he has heard for not having initiative and referendum in Ramsey, like Commissioners Gamec's earlier comment, he finds insulting, that initiative and referend~mm would put the burden of informing the people on the City so the people could vote responsibly. Co~aissioner Gamec replied that it would not be a burden on the City, that it is the citizens responsibility to become informed. 2. Charter Advantage Committee - Commissioner Data: Co~m~issioner Data stated that he has nothing further to report at this time. cc/Ju~y 14, 1983 Page 3 of 6