04-28-2016 Charter Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Charter Commission January 14, 2016 Page 2 46 MOTION by Commissioner Bretoi, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, approving the meeting 47 minutes of October 8, 2015 as amended. 48 49 Motion passed unanimously. 50 51 B. League of Minnesota Cities — One Proposed Amendment 52 53 1. Wards 54 Acting Chair Dahl explained that the Commission currently does not have an attorney and 55 therefore the recommendation was made that the Commission should reach out to the League of 56 Minnesota Cities to determine if their assistance could be gained in drafting an amendment to 57 create wards within the City. She stated that she spoke with a representative from the League of 58 Minnesota Cities regarding the desired amendment and was told that they could assist but the 59 information would be shared with the City as the League also insures the City. She stated that 60 there is an election this year and therefore the Commission would not need to pay for a special 61 election. She provided additional information on the desire to create wards, noting that some 62 people in the City feel that they are not fairly represented in their issues. She stated that 63 personally, she was not in support of a ward amendment but after further research on the matter, 64 she does believe that wards would be helpful within the City. She stated that the League does not 65 want to get in the middle of anything and therefore if their assistance is desired the Commission 66 would first have to support the action and then the City Council would have to also support the 67 action because of the existing relationship. 68 69 Commissioner Bretoi asked if there would be a charge for the services. 70 71 Acting Chair Dahl stated that the cost she had been quoted is ten hours for $750, with a charge of 72 $75 after that. She was unsure if the cost would be less if ten hours is not needed. She stated 73 that the League does have attorneys on staff that work with Charter Commissions. She stated 74 that the services could be used for this matter, or any other proposed amendment that would be 75 desired. 76 77 Commissioner Storberg stated that the League has a relationship with the City and believed that 78 the League would state that they could not assist in the same way the City Attorney stated that he 79 would have a conflict of interest and could not provide assistance. 80 81 Acting Chair Dahl stated that she was told that the League would not have a problem providing 82 the service as long as both the Commission and Council approve. 83 84 Commissioner Bretoi stated that the decision had been made during the past year that the item 85 would go on the ballot and that the Commission should use the League of Minnesota Cities for 86 assistance if they would agree to provide the assistance. He stated that if the matter is delayed for 87 too long the item would not meet the timeline to appear on the ballot. 88 2