Agenda - Charter Commission - 04/14/2009 - 2008 Annual Report

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April 14, 2009 The Honorable Timothy P. Bloomquist Chief Judge Tenth Judicial District Kanabec County Court House 18 N. Vine Street Mora, MN 55051 Re: City of Ramsey, Anoka County, Minnesota, Charter Commission Annual Report Dear Judge Bloomquist: In accordance with Minnesota Statutes 410.05, the following is an annual report reflecting the activities of the City of Ramsey Charter Commission during the year 2008. Members of the Charter Commission for 2008 were as follows: Hannah LaMere (Chair), Benjamin Deemer (Vice-Chair), Roger Bergfalk, Terri Cleveland, Darren Erickson, Frank Frederick, Timothy McKinney, Cindy Sherman and Steve Simenson. The Charter Commission met on February 21, April 17, and June 12, 2008 to consider amendments and to draft amendment language to Ramsey’s Charter Sections 2.5 and 4.5.5. The Section 2.5 proposed amendment would change the procedure for announcing an elected office vacancy and add a provision for a sitting Councilmember to act as a liaison for the constituents whose elected office is vacated. The Section 4.5.5 proposed amendment would change the procedure for elected office vacancy when the vacancy occurs at a time so close to either the primary or general election that the normal time requirements could not be met. These amendments are required primarily because of adoption of the primary election system in the City. At the time of adoption of the primary system, Section 4.5.5 was not amended to reflect the necessary changes. The Charter presented the language to the City Council on July 22, 2008. The City Council held a public hearing and discussed the suggested amendments; however, failed to introduce the ordinance stating they would like to meet jointly with the Charter Commission to discuss this further.