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Discussion ensued regarding insurance coverage. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec stated that he would check with City Insurance agent regarding <br />coverage while en route to and from Commission business. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated that the City of Ramsey is paying for the operation of a Charter <br />Commission, therefore, by definition it is a wing of the City but that he would <br />assume that commission members are not covered by municipal insurance policy and <br />this could be checked with the City Attorney. Regarding liability, Minnesota <br />State law is that an official, elected or appointed, is not liable for discretion- <br />ary acts, but you can be prosecuted for slander. Mr. Dorn noted that Charter <br />Commission members have no legislative authority and cannot deprive anybody of <br />the constitutional rights and stated that he doesn't feel any Commission member <br />will ever be in a position where they are being held liable for depriving anyone <br />of their rights. <br /> <br />Commission Buchanan brought up the issue of a member of Ramsey Coalition serving <br />on the Charter Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated that most charter commissions are formed because someone had an <br />ax to grind and law stated that no person shall be deprived of his right to <br />serve on a commission unless they are part of the judicial system. Mr. Dorn <br />also recommended that if more than two members of the Charter Commission are <br />planning to attend a meeting of the Ramsey Coalition, notice should be posted. <br />Mr. Dorn stated that if coincidentally, more than two members of the Charter <br />Commission attend a meeting of the Ramsey Coalition, or any meeting, the <br />Charter Commission members should exclude themselves from any conversation <br />regarding the charter because of the open meeting law. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated a clause could be included in the rules that statements made <br />by individual Commission members does not necessarily represent the feelings <br />of the entire Commission. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gamec inquired if it was proper for him to vote, as Mayor, regarding <br />issues brought before City Council dealing with the Charter Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn replied that Mayor Gamec has the right to vote provided the issue does <br />not affect the Mayor personally. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated that he cannot conceive of a situation where the Charter <br />Commission could be sued unless the Commission is not validly organized and <br />conducting business. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated that the purpose of the Commission retaining legal counsel <br />would be to review the affects on constitutional rights by the proposed <br />charter. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated that if and when a charter is adopted, City ordinances would <br />remain as is, and if there should be a conflict new ordinances might have to <br />be adopted. Mr. Dorn also noted that a charter cannot interfere with projects <br />that commenced prior to charter adoption. <br /> <br />Darryl Fults - Inquired as'to how much a charter would affect the City's <br />Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Dorn stated that the Comprehensive Plan is a land use tool implemented by <br />ordinance and that the charter and thecomprehensive plan have two Separate <br />functions. <br /> <br />CC/June 9, 1983 <br />Page 5 of 8 <br /> <br /> <br />