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City Administrator Norman noted that the Council did receive a copy of the petition when it was <br />first presented. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson stated that often the Council receives a copy of a full petition, but in <br />this case they only received a portion of the petition because of the amount of signatures. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied that that was correct. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson suggested that a policy be developed. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich recommended that the Council table the issue pertaining to Mr. <br />Hendriksen's payment and direct him to work with the City Administrator on drafting a policy <br />regarding Councilmembers requesting information as a private citizen. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that as a Councilmember he should be _kept apprised of <br />certain business going on in the City and did not understand why the staff should charge for that <br />information. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec agreed, but stated that the concern is an abuse of power. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to direct the City <br />Attorney to work with staff on drafting a policy and to delete Mr. Hendriksen's fee from the list <br />and table action for further discussion. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Anderson requested that while staff and the City Attorney <br />are researching this issue, she requested that the issue of Councilmembers using City consultants <br />also be addressed. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that he thought they needed to be very <br />cautious on that issue because every member of the Council needs legal representation and needs <br />access to information whether they are in the majority or minority. He stated that a person may <br />passionately agree with a certain political position and doing their job as a Councilmember they <br />are there to do the job the citizens of Ramsey want. Denying access to legal representation or <br />inhibit ability to get documents by charging for them is very dangerous. Councilmember <br />Anderson replied that she did not disagree totally, but when Attorneys charge $100 an hour <br />everyone of them could run up a substantial bill. She felt that they need to determine what is <br />acceptable for a Councilmember acting on their own. <br /> <br />Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Kurak, Anderson, and <br />Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Not Voting: Councilmember Hendriksen. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to how he would become aware of when the issue will <br />be discussed again. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich replied that the issue will be discussed as a regular agenda item. <br /> <br />City Council/September 25, 2001 <br /> Page 9 of 31 <br /> <br /> <br />