Agenda - Council - 07/26/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I ! I I I I ! ! I I I I I Commissioner Sieber read the following to the Commission: 'Statutory city operates under the power of the State and a Charter city can exercise any power that the State has not prohibited them from doing.' Corm~issioner Data stated that the Mayor of Mounds View (which has been a charter city for 4 years) is very enthusiastic regarding charters and is more than willing to address Ramsey's Charter Commission. Commissioner Gamec stated that he has mentioned to some concerned citizens the Charter Commissions intention to conduct a public hearing regarding charters and inquired if this was still the intention of the Commission. Commissioners Buchanan and Sieber stated that the purpose of a public hearing was accomplished by their recent survey of Ramsey individuals and groups. The majority of the public want~ to see an actual charter prior to taking a stand on whether Ramsey should go with a charter or the current form of goyernment. Current Form Of'Government Committee ~ Commissioner Gamec Commissioner ~amec stated that 'the changes he would'like to see brought about by a Charter Cannot~be brought about because Ramsey would still be bound by State and Metro Council. Commissioner Gamec· further stated that he cannot see where the Ramsey Council has ever gone against the will of the majority of the people, except for maybe one issue. Commissioner Gamec further commented that if mistakes are made under Charter rule, the City is stuck with the results of those mistakes. If mistakes are made under statutory rule, there are ways to remedy the problem. City government, in the next 10 years must be very thoughtful and innovative, with regard to the Nation's economy. Commissioner Gamec stated that the record shows that past mayors in Ramsey, such as his good.frien~Arnie Cox, have not gone against the wishes of the people. Commissioner Buchanan stated that he wants the privilege of initiative and referendum. Regardless of what 99% of the people want, an elected official is only obligated to vote according to his own mind and that allows 4 or 5 people to rule the entire city. Commissioner Gamec stated' that local government is the best form of government because there is still an opportunity for communication between the elected official and the constituent. Commissioner Gamec inquired as to why a charter should be adopted just to obtain initiative and referendum when that privilege might not even be used. Commissioner Buchanan stated that he would like to have that right available if he should ever need it and especially since he doesn't have to relinquish anything in order to have the privilege of initiative and referendum. Commissioner Sieber stated that it is one thing to give the decision making power to an elected official but it is another matter when you have never had that right in the first place. CC/June 23, 1983 Page 6 of 8