Agenda - Council - 04/16/2002 - Special

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CASE #1 INTRODUCE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING BOUNDARY LINES FOR THE CITY OF RAMSEY WARD SYSTEM By: Jo Thieling, City Clerk Background: As a result of the Special Election on November 6, 2001, a Charter Amendment was adopted requiring the City to be divided into four wards for purposes of electing Council members. This is to be done by Ordinance. Following the redistricting by the State of Minnesota, City staffmet with Anoka County Elections Supervisor, Gary Poser, to draft different options to establish the boundary lines for the ward system. Pursuant to the City Charter and State statute, the wards must be divided as equally in population as is "practicable," and "... each ward shall be composed of contiguous territory." Council reviewed the draft maps at a work session on April 8, 2002. At that time, a request was made for amendments to these options. These options are being presented tonight in ordinance form for Council consideration~ Council is being asked to choose one or more options and introduce ordinances accordingly. Although one or more options may be introduced in ordinance form, of course, only one ordinance will be finally adopted. The final ordinance will need to be adopted at the Council's regular meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2002. Enclosure: Proposed Ordinance establishing Wards. Council Action: Motion to introduce an ordinance establishing boundary lines for the City of Ramsey Ward System (Option 2) or- Motion to introduce an ordinance establishing boundary lines for the City of Ramsey Ward System (Option 3) or- Motion to introduce an ordinance establishing boundary lines for the City of Ramsey Ward System (Option 4) and - Motion to direct staff to bring the ordinance back for formal adoption on April 23, along with a resolution for adoption specifying precinct boundary lines. Reviewed by: City Clerk City Administrator City Attorney CC: 04/16/02