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referendum. The Attorney General found that the referendum was appropriate because the <br />ordinance that was repealed as a "permanent new law, general in application," adopted by a <br />legislative process. Minn. Op. Atty. Gen., No. 36-a, 22 (December 6, 1989)." <br /> <br />Mr. Thomson noted that he was aware of the opinion. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen read the following from the February 12, 2001 memo: "The <br />Attorney General has since acknowledged that Denny overruled Attorney General Opinion, No. <br />59a-32. <br /> <br />Mr. Thomson replied that three Attorney General opinions were overruled in the Denny case, but <br />none were the opinion referenced in his legal opinion. <br /> <br />Jeffrey Menth, 14726 Ramsey Boulevard NW, Ramsey, Chairman of the group of petitioners, <br />stated that he found out last minute that there was a legal opinion made regarding the petition and <br />yet he received no copy of the legal opinion. The petitioning group has been given no chance to <br />respond to the legal opinion. He questioned why he was not notified that he had business in front <br />of the Council. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich replied that at this point it is up to the City Council to make the <br />determination whether the issue should go forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that after Mr. Menth goes out and collects 1,300 signatures on <br />a petition and a legal opinion is being given regarding the petition he would not even be notified <br />or given a copy of the opinion. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich replied that there was no legal requirement to do so. <br /> <br />Mr. Menth stated that in reviewing his property tax statement he noted that the City's portion of <br />taxes went up 27 percent. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec noted that the Council would be having a meeting on April 11'h to discuss tax <br />concerns. <br /> <br />Mr. Menth inquired as to where the additional funds were going. He stated that citizens are <br />bringing forward a density transition ordinance that was put together by the City Council, <br />residents, consulting firm and Planning Commission. The residents did not invent the idea of <br />density transitioning. He inquired as to what the legal opinion cost from Kennedy and Graven. <br />He stated that he has heard many complaints about the cost of a special election but would like to <br />know all of the legal costs that are being incurred fighting the issue. <br /> <br />Mr. Thomson replied that his invoice would be public information once the City receives it. <br /> <br />City Council/March 27, 2001 <br /> Page 11 of 22 <br /> <br /> <br />