05/23/84 Newspaper Article-Ramsey Voters Approve Charter Giving Themselves More Power (2)

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Ramsey voters approve c a ier more .., giving power By Paul Gustafson II Initiate their own ordinances by water proposals, and organized a Staff Writer , petition, and force a referendum if petition drive that led to creation of the city council fails to approve a court-appointed charter commis- Ramsey residents voted themselves them.The petitions would have to be sion. new powers to halt public improve- signed by a number of residents ment projects and to review actions equal to 10 percent of the number of Gary Heitman,chairman of the corn- by elected city officials Tuesday voters in the most recent citywide mission that drafted the charter,said when they approved a proposed city election. knowing that citizens can veto im- charter by a vote of 901 to 367. provement projects could make for El Seek to overrule city council ac- better lawmaking and planning. Advocates of the new charter say it tions by forcing referendums on will give residents more direct con- council-adopted ordinances. "Because the city official knows trol over city decisionmaking, and there is, in fact, an opportunity for could affect the continuing dispute i Seek to remove council members people to force an issue (under the over whether Ramsey should devel- by petitioning for recall elections. charter), I think there will be better op its own water and sewer system. These petitions would require a ordinances written ... and, it will number of resident signatures equal require more detailed front-end Mayor Tom Gamec said Wednesday, to 20 percent of the total votes cast work and better planning in the ear- however, that he expects the new in the last citywide election. ly stages of development projects," charter to have little effect on city Heitman said. government, and no effect on a de- Ramsey's current charter provides velopment project that is the focus of residents with only a limited power Gamec, also a charter commission the sewer and water controversy. to initiate recalls and referendums. member,said he doubts that the new The new charter will force city of fi- citizen powers in the charter will Under the charter, which will go cials and council members to be have much effect on council deci- into effect in 30 days, residents more accountable to Ramsey resi- sionmaking. could: dents,charter supporters said. "Generally,I think you find when we ■Initiate, approve or defeat public "People could petition before, but hold a public hearing that the city improvements like sewer and water they were also told the council has council goes along with the majority for which they will receive tax as- the final decision. Now a petition of the people .... I doubt they (the sessments. In addition, the charter will mean the council has to listen to petition and referendum powers) increases the city council majority the people," said Susan Beale. a will be used very much,"he said. required to initiate such projects in member of the Ramsey Residents the absence of resident petitions, Coalition. from three-fifths to four-fifths. The group has opposed sewer and