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Ramsey was organized as a Township in 1857 and incorporated as a City in 1974. Ramsey is organized as a Home Rule City under a City Charter originally adopted in 1984. The City Council consists of a Mayor and four Councilmembers, and is elected at large on a non - partisan basis. Elections are held in November of each even numbered year. The terms of office are two years for the Mayor and four years for Councilmembers, but not more than two Councilmembers' terms expire in any one year. The Council is responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, and regulations governing the City, and appointing the City Administrator, City Attorney, and members of the various advisory boards and commissions. The City provides a variety of municipal services. These include a full -time police department, a volunteer fire department, engineering services, street and park maintenance, building inspections, planning and zoning, public improvements, general administrative services, and public water and sewer utilities in the urban service areas. PilAnIJOIR TU TlI°1CIIA IIVIES The year 1993 was characterized by construction activity and planning for future such activity. The City, during the past year, initiated or completed several studies or changes in the areas of transportation, land use, shoreland, parks, finance and general operations. At the same time, more building permits were issued than at any time in Ramsey's history. The following is an overview of 1993: General Operations 7rTHill'a 0171 AND TN ETK RT((CIEE (Continued) In 1993, Ramsey achieved an increase in its bond rating to A 1. Among Anoka County and neighboring cities, only one other City has a higher rating. While the local tax rate for 1994 is increasing, Ramsey continues to have one of the lowest rates of area and comparably -sized cities within the State. The Ramsey city government also has among the fewest number of employees per capita in the Metro Area (2.69 employees /1,000 persons compared to an average of over 5 employees /1,000 persons). Even though Ramsey has been experiencing population growth at a rate of about five percent per year, the City has not experienced large increases in staffing. There have been demands to increase programming in various areas, most notably public safety, parks and public works. The City Council has been able to restrict growth in staffing by providing for technology and training improvements that have allowed for slower growth than would otherwise be the case. In 1993, the City Council adopted several financial policies and programs which allow the City to program revenues and schedule expenditures over the next seven years. It also refinanced debt, taking advantage of the higher bond rating and lower interest rates. The result was a long -term savings of $354,054. During 1993, the Council ensured resolution of several long -term issues. Included is a settlement with the operator of the Anoka Regional Sanitary Landfill in a mutually beneficial manner. The City has also been successful in State and Federal Courts in defending its zoning ordinances and code requirements. The Long -term benefits will be improved community aesthetics and land uses. The City continues to provide strong leadership in Anoka County in environmental issues. This is highlighted by the City recycling 1,006 tons of material in 1993. The residents' recycling efforts surpassed the County mandated goal by more than twelve percent (12%). This increase in awareness was furthered by the City in conjunction with the oak wilt suppression program. 11