Laserfiche WebLink
into play one or two elections out so it is not against or for the current Councilmembers. Mr. <br />Hendriksen added that several of the people on this Commission have talked about special <br />elections being a minority vote. He inquired if we could designate wards, going along with the <br />census timeline, but make it for the election after next. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich replied that you could jump into the ward system in the year 2005, but you can <br />only redistrict in years ending in 1 or 2. <br /> <br />Mr. Kiefer recommended that if wards are to be presented, that it be adopted in 2002. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer suggested the City could piggyback on the school election. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere asked if the Commission's decision is on whether we want wards, and if <br />so, if it is every two years or not. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich stated that wards are boundaries where Council is elected from. <br /> <br />Chairperson Vogt stated that we are trying to say we either we want this put to a vote or we want <br />to table this. We have several options. <br /> <br />Alena Hunter 14628 Helium Street NW, Ramsey, talked about the difficulties for a two-year <br />term Councilmember getting up to speed, the cost disadvantage of campaigning, etc. She <br />mentioned that the urban area of the City is approaching 50% of the population and no current <br />Councilmember is in the sewer and water area. She felt that wards would bring more <br />representation and that it would bring more people in to vote. Ms. Hunter expressed concern <br />over a couple of comments made by Mr. Hendriksen at the last Charter meeting with regard to <br />pitting group against group and the possibility of not finding a qualified candidate. Ms. Hunter <br />pointed out that the Charter Commission has been discussing the ward system since 1993 and <br />added that "we are asking you to move this forward so we can bring it to people for a special <br />election. Find out what the citizens want - details can be worked out after the fact." <br /> <br />David Elvig, 17201 Tungsten Street NW, Ramsey, stated it is time to do this. It is time for <br />citizens to be involved - it is time to meet challenges. Ramsey is changing and moving and he <br />suggested to not reactively wait for change but to get in front of it instead. He felt that Ramsey <br />is a community with a great amount of untapped resources and people are the best resource. He <br />felt the time is now to get Ramsey moving forward. <br /> <br />Chairperson Vogt asked the Commission if they were interested in voting. He stated he is <br />comfortable with taking a vote because what the Commission would be doing is bringing the <br />issues to the citizens for vote on. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere agreed that Charter's responsibility is if we bring something forward, not <br />if we agree with it or not. <br /> <br />Chairperson Vogt conducted a verbal vote for the Commissioners to see who is interested in <br />going to a ward system. Everyone present voted affirmatively. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - May 24, 2001 <br /> Page 6 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />