Minutes - Council - 07/24/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Hendriksen stated that the only thing he was taking issue with was that the only way a change could be made was to place the item on the ballot. A change could be made by the Council adopting an ordinance or by citizen-initiated measures. Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to establish a special election to consider Charter Amendment questions for October 16, 2001. Further discussion: Councilmember Hendriksen stated that within the last three or four months the Council has had a lengthy presentation of about how bad special elections are and ironically one of those people sits on the Charter Commission and voted for the special election. Councilmember Anderson stated that it would be better if they could have the election at a election time, but her understanding is that if they establish wards there is some limitation of time. City Attorney Goodrich explained that establishing wards has to be done in years ending in one or two. The second issue as to why they could not wait for the general election is that since the Charter Commission has forwarded the issue to the Council the Council has to schedule a special election within 90 days. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that the City could establish wards that would be phased in instead of designating existing Councilmembers to a ward. They could implement the ward system when none of the existing terms would be in effect, but the Charter Commission chose not to handle it that way so that people will be placed on the Council for political reasons and he resents that. Councilmember Kurak requested that Councilmember Hendriksen clarify his comments. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that there seems to be a strong desire to make sure that this Charter Amendment is in affect for the 2002 election. Councilmember Kurak inquired if Councilmember Hendriksen felt that something underhanded was "at foot". Councilmember Hendriksen replied that he thought the effort was politically motivated. Councilmember Kurak called the question and then withdrew it. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he does not know which ward he is supposed to be in. If he does not know what ward he is supposed to be in, then he does not know what he will be voting on. He was elected to serve at large and if there is some change to that it should be for a good reason. Councilmember Kurak stated that she had made those comments at the Charter Commission meeting. Keith Kiefer, stated that the Charter Commission members set any personal political issues aside and are only giving the citizens a chance to vote on an issue that they have been discussing for eight years. He stated that he does not appreciate the effort to block the citizen's voices from being heard. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he believes the citizens stated overwhelmingly that they wanted to create a mechanism to change the majority of the Council every two years if they did not like what they were doing. In the recent election it is the first time the Mayor ran for a four year term so they would not have the ability to change the make up in presidential years. When it was proposed it was not proposed to change in the next election. When making broad sweeping changes there is too much opportunity to make it a political issue. Richard Krueger, 157th Lane, Ramsey; stated that Councilmember Kurak and Councilmember Zimmerman will stay at large. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that they don't know that. Mayor Gamec stated that all they are doing at this point is scheduling an election date. John Bertzyk, 6001 - 146th Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that lives within the MUSA. The idea for the ward system was to get more equal representation for the people, rather than having people in the rural area as part of the issue, but also that everyone has equal opportunity and representation in City Council/July 24, 2001 Page 12 of 24