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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />MAY 23, 2000 <br />Scalze asked what the motivation would be for people to go to schools <br />other than those already located in the City. She felt that the schools in <br />Little Canada were great schools with great family involvement. <br />Koski pointed out that.Family Academy will have multi-age classrooms as <br />well as smaller classroom size. Family Academy will have a slightly <br />different philosophy than the existing schools in the area. <br />May asked the process for applying for a text amendment and a <br />conditional use permit. Fahey suggested that he contact City staff for this <br />information. He noted that the applicants can conclude that the rezoning <br />will not pass given that it requires four affirmative votes, and there are two <br />members of the Council opposed to the rezoning. It will take four <br />affirmative votes of the Council to amend the Code to allow for the CUP <br />process. <br />Fahey again expressed concern that amending the Code will allow for <br />others to apply for CUP's to locate schools in Little Canada. Pedersen felt <br />that the market will determine the number of school that could survive in <br />the area. <br />Fahey indicated that he has great confidence in the City's existing schools <br />and noted that the Waldorf School is also being added to the area. <br />Pedersen felt that it would be nice for people to have options such as <br />smaller classroom sizes, etc. He noted that not all kids fit the mold <br />provided by the existing schools and an alternative would be beneficial. <br />Fahey felt that a charter school will not provide all the options. <br />Pedersen felt that the school was a good long-term use of the site, and felt <br />the debate of whether the school was needed or not was out of the <br />Council's league. Pedersen pointed out that the State governs the <br />licensing of schools. <br />Fahey felt that the State will approve any charter school that meets their <br />criteria. He noted that some of these schools fails and others succeed, <br />pointing out that a charter school recently closed in St. Paul. Fahey <br />indicated that he was not convinced that this school is needed in Little <br />Canada; however, indicated that he was open to being convinced. <br />Koski reported that it is a difficult process to get approval from the State <br />for a charter school. <br />Mrs. Scalze introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption <br />