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Station 7.9. Funds. A discussion ensued r~garding whether or not the Council should b~ <br />able to create and abolish funds with ordinance or resolution. It was the consensus of the <br />Commission that Section 7.9 should read: 'Where shall be maintained in the City ~-casury, <br />a general fund and such other funds as may bc required by State Statutes, ordinance or <br />resolution. The Council shall by ordinance or resolution, create and abolish funds and <br />shall define which funds are eligible for intcrfund loans as it may deem necessary and <br />appropriate. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen suggested Staff take these amendments m Council for their review and <br />comment and if Council suggests any changes, it should then be brought back to the <br />Charter Commission for their information. He added that the Commission is not prepared <br />to necessarily vote on the amendments this evening as the new Charter Commissioners will <br />be joining the Commission and they should have ample time to review this Chapter also. <br /> <br />Case #4: Ward System Discussion <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen called attention to the maps supplied by Staff. He stated that under the <br />current system, it is conceivable that all the members serving on Council could live in the <br />same area of the City. He stated that questions had been raised regarding the cost of <br />running for an election. In talking with some of the Councilmembers, they didn't seem too <br />concerned about the cost. Chairperson Steffen stated another question raised was if the <br />Mayor's term should be longer than two years and a suggestion made that a <br />Councilmember should be able to run for Mayor without giving up his Council seat. He <br />posed the question about whether or not a primary election would be appropriate and, if so, <br />how would it be done. <br /> <br />Commissioner Goode inquired if the City is best served by having everyone at large or <br />would it be best served with a ward system. <br /> <br />Commissioner Nelson inquired how the precincts would[-be redrawn if the City convened <br />to a ward system. <br /> <br />City Administrator Schroeder stated it is possible to have a combination of ward and at <br />large systems. <br /> <br />Commissioner Goode felt that the mission is to have uniform representation for the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson arrived and was informed that the current discussion is with <br />regard to wards versus precincts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson stated that his comments are his own concerns, etc., not those of <br />the City Council. <br /> <br />Upon inquiry of cost of running for election, Councilmember Peterson stated he <br />campaigned the entire City and the cost was somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000. He <br />felt that it's easier to campaign and less costly if you are known by most of the people. He <br />stated some people run for election on a "whim" or a "bet" and sign up but don't do <br />anything else. He stated he would tike to see a primary election held ff there are more than <br />four or five people running for one vacancy. Citizens would then get a better picture of <br />who really wants to be elected Mayor or Councilmember. He suggested that may be more <br />important when the City reaches the population of between 15,000 and 20,000. <br /> <br />Commissioner Goode inquired of Councilmember Peterson his preference with regard to <br />ward or at large system. <br /> <br />Charter Commission/September 16, 1993 <br /> Page 3 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />