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Commissioner Simenson stated he would like to hear from City Administrator Norman at the <br />next meeting what he sees as the differences between an Administrator and a Manager. <br /> <br />Consensus of the Commission was to place this item on the next agenda to have Mr. Norman talk <br />about what he sees as differences between a City Administrator and a City Manager form of <br />government. <br /> <br />Mr. Frazell pointed out that the City of Ramsey is surrounded by City Manager Cities - Anoka, <br />Elk River', etc. <br /> <br />Mr. Frazell made mention of a model city charter available from the National Civic League. The <br />Charter Colnmission requested that the City Clerk order one. <br /> <br />Case//4: Citizen Petition Seeking Amendment of Chapter 8 - Ramsey City Charter <br /> <br />Chairperson Vogt stated that a group of citizens put together a petition to add to the Charter <br />Chapter 8 which gets into well and septic and City utility hookups. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich presented the background. The City received a petition to amend <br />Chapter 8 of the City's Charter. The petition was signed by several hundred citizens. The City <br />Clerk has determined it has adequate signatures to equal the 5 percent of the total voters in the <br />last election. The petition contains less than 1,000 words so no summary is necessary. Each <br />page has been attested by the City Clerk. What the Charter Commission needs to know is that <br />State Statutes dictates 100 percent how the City's Charter is amended. The City has never had <br />the authority to provide how the Charter is amended. Once a petition is presented, it has a legal <br />being of its own. City staff cannot affect it, the City Council cannot affect it and the Charter <br />Commission cannot affect it. The City Council has 90 days to set an election which the date in <br />this case would be on or before July 5. However, there is some thought that the first meeting <br />after' thc clerk receives the petition is the date to go by. Prior to the question going to an election, <br />we have to make certain it's constitutional. Mr. Goodrich stated he is in the process of reviewing <br />that right now. The opinion will be presented to the City Council. The Charter Commission has <br />no authority over the petition except for if a summary is needed. Then the Charter can say if it's <br />fair or not. The Charter Commission has minimal impact. The City Council will be reviewing <br />thc petition for constitutionality and setting the date. The Charter Commission can make a <br />recommendation but it's only a recommendation and the City Council needs to abide by the State <br />Statutes. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bertzyk stated that there were some things voted on for the Charter but it <br />eventually was taken out because of its unconstitutionality. She asked if this particular one could <br />get legally challenged later also. <br /> <br />Mt'. Goodrich reiterated that the question is being reviewed for its legality and the City Council <br />will act on it on or before May 10. He reiterated that the Charter Commission is free to make <br />comments to the Council. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - April 21, 2005 <br /> Page 3 of 10 <br /> <br /> <br />