Laserfiche WebLink
Charter Commission <br />July 8, 2010 <br />Page 3 <br />90 Commissioner Trehus stated that he believes the over-riding intent of the Council's proposal is to <br />91 get the Charter changed. <br />92 Commissioner Storberg offered to provide some perspective for new Commissioners, stating that <br />93 the Charter does not stop the repair of existing roads. The Charter covers only the construction <br />94 of new roads. She also questioned the need for a task force. <br />95 Commissioner Gunderson noted that the issue of a task force was raised at the July 2010 joint <br />96 Commission -City Council meeting. She further commented that they have been several <br />97 opportunities to change Chapter 8 and that citizens have rejected that changes each time. <br />98 <br />99 MOTION by Commissioner Sutherland, seconded by Commissioner Turcotte, to have Chair <br />100 Dahldraft a response thanking the Council for their request to participate and that the <br />101 Commission is respectfully declining. <br />102 Several Commissioners spoke against the motion. <br />103 Commissioner Penn indicated she would be voting against it because refusal to participate <br />104 furthers the perception of the Commission as obstructionistic. <br />105 Commissioner Gunderson noted that there is considerable likelihood that the Council will <br />106 precede with the task force without Commission involvement. <br />107 <br />108 Commissioner Trehus stated that there is a process for proposing amendments to the Charter. <br />109 The Task Force would be acting in strictly advisory capacity and would not be able to create <br />110 amendments. He also noted that there have been multiple attempts to remove Chapter 8 and that <br />'"-N11 multiple projects proposed by the City have been defeated by the residents. He also expressed <br />112 concern that the Council may have "stacked the deck" in its favor with its choice of members. <br />113 Commissioner Turcotte indicated that his perspective is that the Task Force is not a road issue <br />114 but a sewer and water issue. <br />115 Commissioner Lyden noted that when the issue was being raised for a vote by citizens in 2008 <br />116 the City published a pamphlet to present their perspective. He had requested that the <br />117 Commission be allowed to have equal space to provide its point of view and was refused. He <br />118 also noted that the Council has a budget for road repair. <br />119 Commissioner Bartsch questioned why the City can't move ahead with decisions regarding road <br />120 repair. He noted he resides in a subdivision where roads have not been repaired for 30 years. <br />121 Commissioner Helgemoe commented that as a business owner having good infrastructure in the <br />122 city is important to the ability to attract new business. He also questioned where he could go to <br />123 get more information on the process for approving road repairs. <br />124 Commissioner Gunderson noted that Mr. Grochala of the City provided her with criteria and <br />125 where general funds will be required. <br />126 Commissioner Gunderson called the question. <br />127 Motion was passed with Commissioners Aldentaler, Bartsch, Dahl, Lyden, Sutherland, Trehus, <br />128 and Turcotte voting in favor; Commissioners Gunderson, Helgemoe, Penn, Storberg, Timm and <br />129 Williams voting against. <br />130 <br />131 Election of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary <br />132 Chair Dahl commented that she has served as Chair for 3 %2 years and appreciates the support she <br />133 has received. She also noted that she would be interested in the role of Vice Chair. <br />134 She proposed Commissioner Lyden for the position of Chair. <br />3 <br />