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Councilmember Howell commented the thought process behind the hard way is there is a <br /> Councilmember who is on the Charter Commission and a number of Councilmembers are <br /> concerned about a double vote on any given issue. She stated there is a lot of decision making <br /> power in the hands of one person. The hard way of collecting 825 signatures, which she thought <br /> would be doable, would allow them to bypass the double vote and take it to the people. It would <br /> be a statement that they are in such strong disagreement with the Charter Member/Councilmember <br /> making two votes on the same issue that they are going to take it to the people and let them decide <br /> and Council is going to do the hard work to get it to them. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove commented that as a Council there was a consensus that all three <br /> directions were going to be taken at the same time,not just on the ordinance assuming there would <br /> be the votes either from the Charter or when it comes back to the Council. By taking the <br /> opportunity to send it out for votes and have it not pass would result in lost time so she agreed that <br /> it is an issue of difficult work but she felt it was important for the residents be allowed to make the <br /> decision. She referenced Councilmember Woestehoff's comments that he would vote himself off <br /> but stated that wasn't assured. <br /> Councilmember Howell referenced Councilmember Woestehoff's prior comments that he got on <br /> the Charter Commission so that Councilmembers couldn't be on the Charter Commission, which <br /> she didn't understand. She stated this would give the voters the opportunity to decide and remove <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff from the process. <br /> City Attorney Knaak responded to Councilmember Musgrove's statement that there could be <br /> multiple tracks going on, and the answer is yes. There is no reason that the petition process <br /> couldn't be going forward as the easy process is going forward. The two that are mutually <br /> incompatible have to do with the ordinance. If Council passes the ordinance without it coming <br /> from the Charter Commission, it takes a longer process. <br /> Councilmember Heineman asked if it is correct if the Council goes forward with the ordinance and <br /> a resident moves forward with a petition, during the time the signatures are being collected, the <br /> ordinance passes achieving the same result as the petition, the petitioners could cease the process. <br /> City Attorney Knaak replied yes. <br /> Councilmember Heineman stated the easy option could find the Council in a position where the <br /> Charter brings an amendment and unanimous vote, and Councilmember Woestehoff votes to <br /> remove himself from the Charter but then another councilmember could say, I don't see an issue <br /> and vote no, and then Councilmember Woestehoff would still be allowed on the Charter. He <br /> recommended pursuing both options at the same time to ensure that that the petition would be a <br /> contingency plan. <br /> Councilmember Riley commented there is no harm in starting the hard way and doing the easy <br /> way at the same time. He didn't think anyone on Council wouldn't support it so it shouldn't be a <br /> problem but if a petition is started at the same time the Charter Commission sends a case. <br /> Mayor Kuzma asked if a motion is needed. <br /> City Council/March 22, 2022 <br /> Page 19 of 25 <br />