Minutes - Charter Commission - 07/14/1983

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3. Current Form Of Government Conwaittee - Commissioner Gamec: Commissioner Gamec stated that he has nothing further to report ~t this time. Commissioner Buchanan suggested that it might be good for the Charter Commission members to receive copies of all Council and various Ramsey Commissions meeting minutes to become better educated with City affairs. 4. Charter Disadvantage Committee - Commissioner Titterud: Commissioner Titterud stated that there would hardly be any disadvantages to a well-written, air-tight charter. Commissioner Titterud noted that very special attention must be given to that portion of the charter dealing with initiative and referendum and the percentage required to call for a petition and referendum. Commissioner Titterud inquired as to how special interest groups would be kept in check. Chairman Heitman noted that the first checkpoint would be with the number of signatures required to get up a petition and the second checkpoint would be at the voting. Cormmissioner Buchanan noted that it is very important that anyone knowing of charter disadvantages come forward, that it could possibly save the taxpayer's money. Motion by Commissioner Titterud and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan for a 10 minute recess. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairman Heitman, Commissioners Gamec, Data, Greenberg, Sieber, Buchanan, Bauerkemper and Titterud. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Lichter. Charter Commission recessed at 9:40 p.m. Chairman called the meeting back to order at 9:54 p.m. 5. Outside Opinion Committee - Commissioner Bauerkemper.: Commissioner Bauerkemper stated that she has contacted 7 other charter cities and 5 of those cities reported that they liked working with a charter, Lino Lakes is having problems because their chapter dealing with utilities ~as written vindictively and Brooklyn Park feels that their charter is 75% disregarded and overridden by State statutes. Commissioner Bauerkemper stated that the 5 cities in favor of the charter are so because of it's flexibility and that it can be tailored to fit the needs of the city. Commissioner Bauerkemper stated that the advice she has obtained is to make sure the wording of the charter is exactly right. She also commented that Mounds View volunteered to review Eamsey's charter from a workability aspect. C. Rules Committee - Chairman Heitman~ Commissioners Greenb~rg and Lichter: Chairman Heitman and Commissioner Greenberg had nothing to report at this time. CC/July 14, 1983 Page 4 of 6