Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/05/2005

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&ttc. Thc Charter Commission has a regularly scheduled meeting on April 2 I, 2005 and the petition will be placed on the Charter Commission agenda for review and comment that evening. The Statute provides that the form of the ballot shalI be fixed by the City Council. This will be presented to the Council at a subsequent meeting. Mr. Zaetsch stated the ideal petition might have been different, but the actual petition had to look at realities. First of all, the Council can change an ordinance, but when there is something in the Charter it has to go to popular vote to be approved or changed. During his discussions with residents when obtaining the signatures he only encountered one abusive person and a couple that said they favor sewer and water. The bulk of the residents are just wondering why things are being (lone the way they are. There are concerns with leapfrog development and protecting households from assessments that would be devastating. To have drafted a petition relating to thc way the City does planning would have been problematic and would have been struck down. l-{e spoke with Attorney Goodrich earlier, and he should know the focus of the petitioners is to look at revenue and expenditures. The legal analysis will probably show that the amendment should go forward. He stated he would like-to thank the people that were courteous and friendly to him on their doorstep. ' No Council action necessary. Case # 15: Report from Finance Committee 1) Consider Authorization to Transfer Funds from Council Contingency Fund for China Sister City Program Councihnember Strommen explained this is the authorization for a transfer of funds from the Council Contingency Fund for the sister-city relationship with Loudi, China. Delegations from Ramsey will be sent to China and Ramsey will receive delegations from the City of Loudi. The Finance Committee recommended to authorize the transfer of funds in the amount of $8,600.- Thc Committee also requested this topic be placed on a future work session to discuss goal setting fbr these trips and what is expected from the sister-city relationship, as well as presentations being made to the Council after the trips are completed. Mr. Zaetsch stated there are many justifications that can be made for junketing to China. The City has had an experience in the past of a franchise fee that was put on people because the City was in dire straits, and this junketing to China seems obscene. 2) Award Bid for Warning Siren Replacement Police Chief Way explained on February 11, 2005 the City of Ramsey Police Department released requests fbr proposals for the replacement of two outdoor warning sirens. The City repiaccd six sirens in 2004. The City received proposals from three vendors. After reviewing the bids it was staff's recommendation not to necessarily go with the lowest bid, but with the best fit. Staff recommends keeping the replacements the same as the sirens installed by American Signal in 2004. City Council/April 12, 2005 Page 27 of 35 P107