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serve as an advisory body to City CounCil on matters relating to the preservation of Ramsey's <br />natural environment. The next step in:the process is to establish the membership number and <br />reprcscntation on the Board and :direct staff to proceed to advertise to fill the positions. The <br />Board discussed membership and representation at their December 14, 2004 meeting. They have <br />recommended that the Environmental PolicY Board be established with 7 voting members; 1 <br />fi-om each of the 4 wards and 3 at large. All 7 :members should be residents of the community. <br />There should also be two non-voting, ex-officio members representing City Council and City <br />Staff: In furtherance of the Board's commitment ~to education on environmental matters, they are <br />requesting Council's approval to have anon-voting student intern position available on the <br />Board. <br /> <br />Councihncmber Strommen explained regarding the student position, there are many high school <br />students taking honors courses or have an interest in this issue. Regarding a representation by <br />wards, this board has been established since the Council adopted a ward system and it made <br />sense to follow that ward system. The ward system would ensure geographical representation <br />fi'om all sections of the City, which is important to the group. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamcc inquired if a vacancy would remain open for more advertising if there were only <br />one candidate fi'om a ward and the Council did not feel the person was a right fit for the Board. <br /> <br />Councilmcmber Strommen responded in the affirmative. <br /> <br />Counci lmember Jeffi'ey commented he likes the idea of one representative from each ward and <br />three rcpresentatives at large. He questioned if this would set a precedent for other commissions <br />and boards. <br /> <br />Councihnember Elvig expressed concern that ttie Council has had difficulty getting people to <br />servc on some of the commissions and a ward system would restrict the available pool to a <br />smaller group of people. He stated he agrees it is not a bad idea, especially with the diverse <br />demographics. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated he is not sure the ward system will work in a situation where the <br />Council is asking for volunteers to serve on: a c(~mmission. There are a lot of other aspects of <br />someone's life that deten~ines why you think a certain way, other than where you live in the <br />City. l-lc expressed concern that this commission utilizing a ward system would set a precedent <br />roi' other commissions and stated the representation should not be based on a ward system. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strolnmen explained the Board discussed concerns about the possibility of not <br />having all adequate number of people apply, They felt strongly enough that they wanted a <br />mechanism to ensure representation from different parts of the City. It becomes the Council's <br />job to identify good people and try to recruit them. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamcc suggested they proceed with the ward representation, and that it can be reviewed if <br />it is not working. <br /> <br />City Council/January 25, 2005 <br /> Pagel6 of 24 <br /> <br /> : <br /> <br /> <br />