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Mr. Norman stated that the issues are getting mixed up; Charter appears to be adding a fourth <br />issue, which is changing the number of years to a term. <br /> <br />Chairperson Kiefer stated that what he envisions is that one Councilmember would come on <br />effective 2002, and a second on in 2004, which would make six Councilmembers and a Mayor. <br />That way it is not stacked one year and a minority another year. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich felt that an even number on Council was not a good idea. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that you will have the majority/minority problem every year <br />if you do not have at least one seat be a two-year term. You could also not have the Mayor vote <br />except in the case of a tie. <br /> <br />Commissioner Vogt asked if they could straw vote to determine what we want to discuss and go <br />with that. Terms and the number of seats is a separate issue. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs stated he is comfortable to say "Should we increase the number of Council <br />seats to seven" on this ballot. The terms could be discussed at a later date. He wondered who <br />else on the Commission was comfortable with adding that to the ballot. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke suggested having a discussion on the pros and cons of a seven-member <br />Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs stated that his pro is that it will give more diversity - better discussions <br />and will remove some of the burden on the regular Council. <br /> <br />Commissioner Donovan stated he sees it as nothing but pro. You bring diversity, more input, <br />and you spread the burden around. He stated he would like that if he was on the Council. It <br />would promote healthy discussion. As far as cons - he felt there are none. He felt there are <br />enough qualified people and we will not have a lack of candidates. He added that maybe more <br />people would see it as an opportunity. <br /> <br />Commissioner Rosenow inquired if there is a cost in adding two people to the Council. She also <br />asked how would this issue be campaigned, whose responsibility would it be to get information <br />out to the public, and are there other costs. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman responded that the information could be put before the voters via the City's cable <br />TV channel. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich added that the City can hold a public hearing, and put an article in the Ramsey <br />Reside~t. Citizen groups could promote this issue at their own expense. The City cannot take a <br />position. <br /> <br />Commissioner Henke inquired if the City could put out neutral information to which Mr. <br />Goodrich replied yes. <br /> <br />Charter Commission - September 6, 2000 <br /> Page 6 of 12 <br /> <br /> <br />