Minutes - Council - 09/13/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Gamee stated that there should be some explanation in the Ramsey Resident explaining the ballot question. Charter Commission Chairperson Kiefer noted that the Charter Commission discussed holding an open public meeting in order to have a Q & A session regarding the change, sometime in the first two weeks of October. Assistant City Administrator Moore-Sykes noted that there will probably not be an issue of the Ramsey Resident prior to the election. Charter Commissioner Kieffer stated that the Charter Commission has discussed this issue for approximately three years and as a Charter Commission they felt the change is significant enough that the City should receive citizen approval prior to making the change. Councilmember Connolly stated that by increasing the number of Councilmembers to seven it will provide an opportunity to get the majority of the Council turned over every two years. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that by having the additional Councilmembers it would give the City the opportunity to get away from the current situation where the majority 0fthe Council is in place for four years. He stated that he would like to solicit some additional input fi:om the residents and place an advisory question on the ballot that would state "Should the terms of the Councilmembers be staggered to guarantee the majority of the Council will be up for election every two years?" Charter Commissioner Childs noted that by adding two more members to the Council does not change the way things are currently done. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that, by adding the advisory question to the ballot, it would help assess the mood of the residents regarding the issue. Charter Commissioner Childs replied that the Charter Commission will discuss the issue. Mayor Gamec inquired as to when the increase in Councilmembers would take effect if it is approved during the 2000 election. Charter Commissioner Childs replied that the change would not be in place until the next City Council election in 2002. Motion by Councilmember Hendriksen, seconded by Councilmember Connolly, to approve the Charter Amendment ballot question to read "Shall the Charter of the City of Ramsey be amended by adoption of an amendment that would increase the number of Councilmembers of the City Council from four to six, to be effective with the general election of 2002." Contingent upon review by the City Attorney of the Charter Commission motion. City Council/September 13, 2000 Page 5 of 19