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Amendment carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Vogt, Commissioners Swanson, Ebel, Bertzyk, <br />Childs, Deemer, LaMere, and Milless. Voting No: None. Abstain: Commissioner Henke <br />(reiterated her concern of unknown repercussions of taking out language). <br /> <br />Amendment by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner LaMere to move for <br />Section 2.3.3 - 26 through 33 be the alternate section. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Mr. Kiefer thought the Commission needed to make a decision and he would <br />recommend 11 through 20. Commissioner Childs stated that he favored 11 through 20 because <br />you go to the next election and you are done with your wards. It seems the simplest. <br />Commissioner Bertzyk stated that she would back that up as well as people in the ward can get <br />out to all positive things in wards instead of having to wait. Accountability established right <br />away - lesser apathy right away - it is a plus. Commissioner Henke stated that the Commission <br />has been addressing that people are represented. Our Charter reads that there are Council <br />liaisons - they have a particular member assigned to a part of the City and all areas are <br />represented. Also, the citizens this way have access to all of the Councilmembers. <br />Commissioner Childs commented that because you represent a ward you still vote on citywide <br />issues. You can discuss issues with any member even if they are not in your ward. <br />Commissioner Henke feels the ward system goes against our Charter because it says that the <br />liaison for certain areas changes every year. Commissioner Swanson stated that the advantage of <br />wards is not necessarily that you have your own Councilmember, it is that they focus on an area <br />for campaigning. A comment was made that it is important for the Commission to take a vote on <br />whether or not we want to recommend the alternative section. Commissioner Deemer stated that <br />if we vote not to adopt the alternative section, we are taking the other one. Mr. Goodrich stated <br />if the Commission does not vote in the alternative, he would have a real concern regarding the <br />current Council relative to wards. Commissioner LaMere suggested designating the current <br />Council all at large, then it will not be an issue. Mr. Kiefer thought that Mr. Goodrich's concern <br />is addressed by Item #3. Mr. Goodrich stated that Item #3 should say Each Councilmember shall <br />be elected from a ward... Mr. Norman pointed out that he cannot get this item on the next City <br />Council agenda and in two weeks, the City Council agenda is extremely full. He added that <br />within the month the City should have the census numbers so maybe the Charter Commission <br />should hold off on their recommendation for right now. Commissioner Deemer reminded the <br />Commission that he had made a motion previously that tied the primary question to the ward <br />question. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner LaMere to table vote on <br />Commissioner Deemer's amendment until the next meeting. Maybe at that time there will be <br />more information on having seven members voted in every four years. The Commission should <br />focus on 1 through 10 and take up the alternative at the next meeting. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner LaMere was withdrawn. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Deemer and seconded by Commissioner LaMere to discuss lines 11 <br />through 33 and vote on lines 1 through 10 and at the next meeting, the Commission will review <br />transition versus alternative, including what we added to #3. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - June 7, 2001 <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />