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WS — Item 3 <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item 3 <br />Date: September 6, 2011 <br />To: City Council <br />From: Jeff Karlson, City Administrator <br />Re: Charter Amendments <br />Background <br />On July 29 the Charter Commission submitted two amendments to the City Charter with <br />a request that the City Council adopt the amendments by ordinance. The first amendment <br />is to add two sections to Chapter 1, which would grant the Commission more <br />discretionary power to amend the Charter and to control how public funds are spent to <br />inform the public about an amendment. The second amendment restricts the Council's <br />ability to raise taxes by instituting a "tax cap." <br />The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 12. After the public hearing has <br />been held, the ordinance would be enacted upon a unanimous vote from council members <br />and the mayor. <br />To inform the Council of the legal implications and the potential impacts of both <br />amendments, staff has contacted City Attorney Joe Langel and Terri Heaton, the City's <br />financial advisor. Mr. Langel prepared written comments which address the amendments <br />to Chapter 1. Joe will be attending Tuesday's meeting. Ms. Heaton also provided staff a <br />letter that points out how the "tax cap" amendment may impact the City financially. <br />Attachments <br />Proposed amendments submitted by Charter Commission <br />Letter from City Attorney Joe Langel <br />Letter from Terri Heaton, Sr. Vice President with Springsted <br />