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three, however, they asked that being appointed liaison to certain precincts should remain in the <br />Charter. They also requested that, at a subsequent meeting, liaisons be appointed. The <br />discussion suggested that each member of Council, including the Mayor, be appointed to a <br />precinct, since there are currently five precincts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson wondered, knowing that the Charter Commission is proposing to go <br />to a ward system, if it will be more confusing to the residents to have an appointed liaison. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen replied that it is written in the Charter that Councilmembers be <br />appointed as a liaison for each precinct and that has previously been ignored. He explained that <br />for the City to go with a ward system would require a unanimous vote from the Council and he is <br />not sure that he would vote in favor a ward system. <br /> <br />Councilmember Anderson replied that a decision to go with a ward system should be made by <br />the voters of Ramsey, not by the Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that appointing liaisons would allow for better representation. He explained <br />that he has heard fi'om many residents that the sewer and water area do not feel they are getting <br />fair representation. The impression of some residents is that the Council is trying to protect the <br />rural area instead of the urban area, but only the Councilmembers can decide if that is true. <br /> <br />Councilmember Connolly replied that if it were not for the urban area she would not have been <br />elected. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he was upset that the Mayor voiced an opinion that was <br />used as a campaign issue. He explained that during the special election, it was determined that <br />both the rural and urban areas are concerned over the same issues, with one being that similar <br />structures be built next to them. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he lives in the rural area, but feels he has done a good <br />job protecting residents in both areas. He explained that he would not be in favor of a ward <br />system, because then Councilmembers are forced to vote for their area only rather than the City <br />as a whole. <br /> <br />Councilmember Connolly stated that the decision of a ward system should be made by the <br />citizens of Ramsey. The current issue is to determine what Councilmember will represent what <br />precinct. She suggested that they be assigned by a draw and noted that she will be asking the <br />Community Service Officers as to who the contacts are for the Neighborhood Watch programs in <br />her precinct. <br /> <br />Deputy City Clerk Thieling performed a random draw assigning the Councilmembers and Mayor <br />to the following precincts: <br /> <br />Co uncilmember Hendriksen - Precinct 1 B <br /> <br />City Council/October 26, 1999 <br /> Page 7 of 16 <br /> <br /> <br />