Minutes - Charter Commission - 08/09/2001

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Case #2: Consider Charter Amendments to Chapter 5, Dealing with Approval Requirements of Initiative, Referendum and Recall City Administrator Norman stated that during the July 19, 2001 Charter Commission meeting, Commissioner Deemer presented minor changes to Chapter 5 of the City Charter. He (Deemer) proposed striking language in Section 5.5 and 5.7 adding language 5.9 that includes the heading "Major Voter Turnout". The proposed Charter amendment language would basically add a requirement to initiative, referendum or recall in that "the majority of registered voters at the time of the last City-wide election vote on the ballot question" and that "the majority of persons voting, vote in favor of the ballot question" would be necessary before the question would be deemed approved by the voters. Commissioner Deemer explained that his intent with this is to make the petitioners publicize the election to get the voters out to vote. Commissioner Henke inquired why this should be changed. Commissioner Deemer felt that such a minority of people voting can change the Charter for the entire City and he felt that changes should be voted in by a larger number of people. Commissioner Henke stated that the benefit of the Charter form of government is it gives the citizens more power than a statutory city. She felt that one of the best things she can see about the Charter is the chapter on initiative, referendum and recall. Commissioner Childs suggested that sometimes rules have to change. He inquired of Commissioner Henke if she would have been against all the amendments that have been made to the Charter thus far. Commissioner Henke inquired what was added to the Charter that was so bad about initiative and referendum. Commissioner Childs stated that some of these changes affect the entire City and such a few people voted. Commissioner Henke felt that saying only a few residents voted to make the changes to the Charter was hearsay. She stated that democracy should be the rule and changes should be made by the majority of the people who vote and if not too many turn out to vote, it appears those others do not care. Commissioner Milless felt that the City has become too large for such a minority of people to be able to change the Charter. Commissioner Childs agreed that we need more people in the City to vote on changes. Commissioner LaMere stated that she understands that and asked about the publication of elections. Charter Commission/august 9, 2001 Page 3 of 7