Minutes - Council - 08/13/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Peterson, Beahen, Beyer and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #23: Proposed Charter Amendment City Administrator Schroeder noted that some time ago, City Council had a discussion about the mayoral term and the length of it. The Charter Commission has suggested that with the election year 2000, we should have a four-year mayoral term. The City Council decided to go to the 1996 ballot with an advisory question on this. The Charter Commission felt the advisory question was not something they wanted to support. They recommended proposing a Charter amendment which would take the advisory part out and whatever is voted in by the people would stand. City Attorney Goodrich noted his memo included with the Council packet which pointed out the procedure for the Charter Commission to put this question on the ballot. He stated that this action will allow for people to vote on the issue. You need to authorize this to be placed on the general ballot for the November 1996 election. The question has to clearly identify the amendment. The proposed amendment reads as follows: Shall the Charter of the City of Ramsey be amended as proposed by the Charter Commission by adoption of the following amendment to Section 2.3: The mayor elected in the general election in 2000 and each mayor elected thereafter shall serve for a term of four years and/or until a successor is elected and qualifies. Councilmember Beyer agreed it may be clearly stated, but asked "what's the big rush or push to have it amended. Why does the Charter Commission want to go to four-year terms - why can't they accept that?" City Administrator Schroeder stated that if it's an advisory election, and if City Council followed the advice or did not follow the advice, then a person that felt aggrieved may call for a special election. Why not eliminate that step and have the decision made by the voters. The Charter Commission felt it was important that the Mayor be elected during a presidential election and that it be in the future so it does not occur and be perceived as pro or against any incumbent or future incumbent. Discussion ensued relating to a couple of minor language changes. Motion by Councilmember Peterson and seconded by Councilmember Beahen that the question shall be placed on the November 1996 general election ballot and shall read as follows: Shall the Charter of the City of Ramsey be amended as proposed by the Charter Commission by adoption of the following amendment to Section 2.3: The mayor elected in the general election in the year 2000, and each mayor elected thereafter, shall serve for a term extended from two years to four years and/or until a successor is elected and qualifies. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Peterson, Beahen, Beyer and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #24: Police Department Furniture Purchase City Administrator Schroeder pointed out that Council has set aside $22,727 for the purchase of furniture for the new Police Department building. This is a sufficient amount to provide base level furnishings. This budget will be about $10,000 short so we have set aside more dollars from the 1997 budget to complete the furnishings. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to adopt Resolution g96-08-193 authorizing the purchase of furniture for the Police Department facilities. City Council/August 13, 1996 Page 18 of 22