Agenda - Council - 10/25/1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Minutes CASE ~6: STATUS OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT By: Dave Martley, City Administrator Background: On August 23, 1988 the City Council received a petition which proposed to amend the City Charter by the addition of a chapter titled "Police Department". This petition was directed to Anoka County for determination of sufficiency, and on September 27, 1988 the City Council received a recommendation from myself and approved as sufficient the petition to amend the City Charter. On October 6, 1988 the Charter Commission reviewed this proposal and judged that the question should be placed before the voters rather than be considered either by the Charter Commission or the City Council for inclusion in the City Charter. The deadline for preparing ballots on this question was, for all practical purposes, October 7, 1988 which is when absentee ballots are distributed (in compliance with the newly adopted State law). The question to be placed before the voters of the City of Ramsey must, therefore, be considered at a special election. The governing law in this case is State statute which provides for the means by which a City Charter is amended. Options available to the City are to establish a date and time for a "conventional" special election where people will go to polling places and exercise their right to vote, or to conduct a mail election authorized by the Secretary of State for issues of this nature. Minnesota Statute 204B.46 permits the Secretary of State to authorize special mail elections when questions are involved and there are no elected offices involved. This is how it works: No more than two questions may be submitted at a mail election and no offices may be voted on. Notice of the election and the special mail procedure must be given at least six weeks prior to the election. No earlier than 20 nor later than 18 days prior to the election, non-forwardable ballots shall be mailed to all voters registered in Ramsey. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots in the same manner as absentee ballots are applied for in other elections. Recommendation: I recommend that the City Council strongly consider pursuing a special mail election procedure. Council Action: P,O ~i CI1 to: Authorize the City Administrator and City Attorney to request cf the Secretary of State authorization for a special mail election to consider an amendment to the City Charter. -Or- Set as a date for a special e!ecticn to consider an amendment to the City Ckarter. Review Checklist: Adminis trat or ~ t Qrnev mnglnee~ Community Development Director Chief of Police Finance Officer Public Works Superintendent Other