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Charter Commission <br />November 29, 2007 <br />Page 10 <br />DRAFT <br />394 Commissioner Storberg replied she would like to see if the Commission wants to reconsider the <br />395 percentage in general. She stated it appears this is a sticking point and she would like to see <br />396 where the other Commissioners stand on the subject. <br />397 <br />398 Commissioner Trehus and Commissioner Dahl voted in favor. Commissioner Bening and <br />399 Commissioner Bor abstained. The remainder of the Charter Commission members voted nay. <br />400 <br />401 Motion failed. <br />402 <br />403 MOTION by Commissioner Trehus that the automatic referendum currently under the Charter be <br />404 put to a vote of the Commission members and that the Charter Commission hold discussion prior <br />405 to the vote. <br />406 <br />407 Commissioner Trehus stated he felt it was important for the Commission to further discuss this <br />408 matter primarily because there was a split vote on the issue at the last meeting. <br />409 <br />410 Commissioner Dahl seconded the motion by Commissioner Trehus. <br />411 <br />412 Commissioner Trehus expressed concern about restricting the rights of voters to a referendum. <br />413 <br />414 Commissioner Carlson stated he felt the City has a problem with its roads and it must be <br />415 addressed. He stated he is proposing that the Charter allow more freedom for staff and the <br />416 Council. He added that the residents are going to vote on the Charter amendment and if they <br />417 don't like the amendment that comes forward, they have the option to vote it down. <br />418 <br />419 Commissioner Bening proposed getting rid of the referendum. <br />420 <br />421 Chair Duffy stated this has been the main issue since the Charter Commission began its work in <br />422 July. She stated her notes from the July 19th meeting reflect that she asked everyone if they were <br />423 comfortable getting rid of the Charter blanket referendum and at that time, everyone stated they <br />424 were comfortable, as long as there is a means in place for the residents to be heard and for the <br />425 residents to be able to indicate their preferences. <br />426 <br />427 Commissioner Bor called the question. <br />428 <br />429 Commissioner Trehus and Commissioner Dahl voted in favor. Commissioners Vacha, <br />430 Aldentaler, Bening, Bor, Carlson, Storberg, and Richard Williams, and Chair Duffy voted nay. <br />431 <br />432 Motion failed. <br />433 <br />434 Commissioner Bening requested Ms. Marty's legal opinion regarding the percentage <br />435 requirements changing from year to year given the number of votes cast for mayor in the last <br />436 mayoral election. <br />437 <br />10 <br />