Minutes - Council - 04/23/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Goodrich replied in the affirmative and suggested Council adopt the form first. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to insert the words "by the citizens". Further discussion: Councilmember Beahen stated she is in agreement with Mr. Steffen. We should not start separating who is citizens and who is not; however, if we insert some language that implies more than who signed the petition, maybe the indications it was not the majority of the populous of the City that forwarded this petition. She would like to see no verbiage change. Councilmember Beyer felt it should say as proposed by a citizen. Councilmember Peterson suggested not adding any language. Councilmember Beyer stated she would insist identification of where these amendments came from. Councilmember Peterson suggested they should say the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government to which Mr. Hendriksen stated he would not object to that language but the 500 people who signed the petition are not current members of the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government; however, that would be acceptable to him. Mayor Hardin ag, eed with Councilmember Peterson that it should be left as is. Councilmember Beyer felt that Council would be doing a major disservice by not defining and indicating where these amendments came from. Mayor Hardin pointed out that it says "by petition". Councilmember Beyer stated that it would be a gross injustice to the residents. They should know where the amendments come from. Mr. Goodrich stated that the statement shall be sufficient to identify the amendment clearly and to distinguish the question from every other question on the ballot. Councilmember Beahen felt this does define the questions. It says as proposed by petition. She expressed agreement with Mr. Hendriksen that the 500 people who signed the petition are not a part of the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government. Mr. Hendriksen added that he spoke with at least 500 people. The Charter Commission's proposed amendment looks very much like ours. "I am sure these people would very quickly like to identify our question. He saw no reason why the City should try to hide where this is coming from. Put it out and let the people decide. Amendment by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to insert the words "by Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government. Further discussion: Mr. Goodrich stated that it isn't precisely true that the petition is by that group; this is not entirely accurate. Mr. Hendriksen suggested amending it to read "as proposed by a petition of 5% of the citizens". Mr. Goodrich clarified 5% of the total votes cast in the last election. He then suggested "by a citizen petition" to which Mr. Hendriksen agreed that was acceptable. Councilmember Zimmerman commented that you could "go legal wrangling all night long but he is satisfied with his motion. Amendment carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Zimmerman and Beyer. Voting No: Councilmembers Beahen and Peterson. Motion by Councilmember Zimmemmn and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to present Question #1 amendment as proposed by a petition circulated by the Ramsey Residents for Responsible Government and signed by 400 citizens and that this should be the only question on the ballot. Further discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman felt that the other two questions can be taken up at another time. Councilmember Beyer added that we just got the language for the other two questions this evening. Mayor Hardin stated that if all questions are not put on the same ballot, it will cost the City another $5,(X)0. Motion failed. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Zimmerman and Beyer. Voting No: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Beahen and Peterson. City Council/April 23, 1996 Page 11 of 17