04-28-2016 Charter Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Charter Commission January 14, 2016 Page 4 134 Acting Chair Dahl noted that there is now a separate budget line item in the amount of $1,000 135 per year for the services of TimeSaver in addition to the annual budget of $1,500. 136 137 Commissioner Stranik stated that the point against wards would limit the quality membership of 138 the City Council as two great candidates could live within the same ward. He noted that wards 139 could also provide single issue candidates, as someone could get voted in solely on the issue 140 most important for that ward. He stated that if wards go into play the amendment should not go 141 into effect immediately as that could impact the current membership of the Council. 142 143 Commissioner Devaney noted that the amendment would take effect as terms expire. 144 145 Commissioner Storberg stated that the Commission went through this last year and the City 146 Council would not allow the item to go onto the ballot. 147 148 Commissioner Bretoi stated that the reasoning of the Commission was that if the language went 149 through the League of Minnesota Cities prior to review the likelihood of disagreeing with the 150 language would be decreased. 151 152 Commissioner Devaney stated that the input of City Attorney Langel is provided in the packet for 153 review. He stated that he would not feel comfortable even taking a straw vote as some of the 154 Commissioners were just appointed within the last week and have not had sufficient time to 155 review the information. 156 157 Commissioner Bretoi noted that there is an issue with timing as the opportunity to place this item 158 on the ballot last year was already missed. 159 160 Commissioner Turcotte stated that he is not confident that any amendment would be allowed by 161 the Council to go onto the ballot. 162 163 Commissioner Bretoi stated that he is looking for a positive way to move forward. 164 165 Commissioner Turcotte stated that perhaps creating a subcommittee to look into going to the 166 legislature or Attorney General as to how the Commission could get any item on the ballot in this 167 atmosphere. 168 169 Commissioner Juni stated that it is pretty straightforward as to how the three items noted by the 170 City Attorney and City Council are easily fixed. He noted that the composition of the City 171 Council has also changed and perhaps the new members of the Council might not feel the same 172 way. 173 174 Commissioner Devaney stated that in his opinion it would be helpful to bring the information 175 forward to the League of Minnesota Cities in regard to the proposed amendment and the three 176 items mentioned by the Council to gain their input. 177 4