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with a primary, you are limiting that even more. She asked if the Commission is interested in <br />"limiting the pool? You are doing a good job to get votes, is it our job to limit their choices? <br /> <br />Commissioner Bertzyk felt that the primary is good because you do not have to learn so much <br />about so many people, therefore, you will be a more informed voter. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner Childs to table the discussion <br />of primaries to the next meeting when hopefully the other two Charter members will be present. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Vogt, Commissioners Deemer, Childs, LaMere and <br />Swanson. Voting No: Commissioners Bertzyk and Milless. Absent: Commissioners Ebel and <br />Henke. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs suggested that everyone should come to the table at the next meeting <br />prepared to vote on this issue. <br /> <br />Staff was directed to send the information that was disseminated at tonight's meeting to the <br />Commissioners who are not present, along with a memo encouraging them to be prepared to take <br />action/vote on the issues before the Commission. <br /> <br />b) Ward <br />City Attorney Goodrich referred to the handouts relating to wards. He stated that the <br />Commission may want to get a consensus if you believe there should be a majority turnover <br />every two years. Discussion has been that if you are going to a ward system, you may not need a <br />majority turnover every two years. It was an advisory question and the people voted in favor of <br />it but there was not a question about wards, which may make a difference. <br /> <br />Chairperson Vogt explained that what is on the table for discussion now is four wards, two at <br />large Councilmembers and the Mayor at large. The Commission asked Mr. Goodrich to put <br />wording together around that, which he has done, and has passed out to the Commissioners. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that without the majority changing, all the terms would be four-year terms; <br />however, if the Commission does want the majority turnover, you need to have one two-year <br />terms. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs suggested that if the City goes with wards, the "swing seat" is a non-issue. <br />If there are no wards, then a "swing seat" would be okay. <br /> <br />Mr. Kiefer presented a suggestion for how the wards would work with the current <br />Councilmembers. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich suggested that it is easiest to make the people elected in 2000 at large and they run <br />out their term. Those elected in 2002 would be under the ward election if this is passed. <br /> <br />Terry Hendriksen, 15631 Ramsey Boulevard NW, Ramsey, stated that the wards need to be as <br />equal in population as they possibly can. He felt that the ward system, if passed, should come <br /> <br />Charter Commission - May 24, 2001 <br /> Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />