Agenda - Council - 07/23/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Even though I have only been in office since January, I am finding that the job of Mayor is very interesting and contains many challenges. As you know, many of Ramsey's residents came from full service o0mmunities and moved to Ramsey for more open space and a more, rural life style. However, many of these residents are now demanding some of the services they enjoyed in the full service co~unities. This situation is common among developing suburbs and presents many challenges to the City policy makers and staff. To give Ramsey residents a little background into City operations, I will briefly highlight Ramsey's government and its legislative oontrols. The City of Ramsey was ihcorporated in 1974 and operates under a mayor-council form of goverr~ent. The Council, which consists of the mayor and four councilmembers, is elected at large and on a non-partisan basis. The mayor serves a two year term and councilm~mbers serve four year overlapping terms so that no more than t~o oounciln~a~bers' terms expire in any one year. The City Council provides policy direction and relies on two standing committees (Budget and Personnel) and a professional administrative staff to study and recommend specific policies. The Budget Committee is instrumental in the development of the annual operating budget and in determining the content of the long term financial plan including the capital improvement program. The residents of Ramsey adopted an extensive City Charter in 1984 and it assures that your voice will be heard. Copies of this charter are available for review at City ~all and Anoka County Library. You may also purchase a copy of the charter at City ~all. The City is divided into urban and rural areas. Municipal water and sewer is currently being oonstructed in those portions of the urban area where owners of 100% of the property have petitioned the City for these services. These portions include the River's Bend plat and Flintwood Kills Second Addition Planned Unit Development. Rowever, water and sewer will not be extended to residents in the urban area unless they petition the City for such services or the County Public Realth Department determines that such services are necessary for the health of those residents. There is a second sewer connection available to the Metropolitan Intercep_to~ .~hi_~h will ultimately_ serve__R_amsey~ S commercial and industrial area when demands are made for this service. Ramsey has a Comprehensive City Plan in place which provides direction for the placement of the utilities within the City and is intended to lxevent leap-frog development. Also, the City Charter gives residents all the necessary tools to stop unwanted improvements that result in special assessments (increased taxes), providing health hazards or a higher legal -1-