01-17-2008 Charter Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Charter Commission delivered its draft to the City Clerk on November 30, 2007, and the City Council officially "received" the draft on December 10, 2007. No general election is scheduled for the next six months. As I read the statutes, a special election must be called, to take place within 90 days. (As an alternative, the City Council can adopt the Charter Commission's proposed amendment by ordinance.) Please double- check the dates and let me know which process the City will be following. If the Charter Commission would just as soon have this matter postponed until November, send a different letter to the city clerk. This letter is to reaffirm the November date and set the stage for later claiming that the Commission relied on the City's assurances that it was going to place the matter on the general election ballot (and not call a special election). The letter need only say: Thank you for sending me a copy of the Work Session Staff Report regarding the Charter Amendment Process. I am pleased to see that the City Council will be considering this matter in the near future. As always, the Charter Commission would be happy to meet with the City Council to explain its draft, and assist in getting the best possible charter for the citizens of Lino Lakes. Since the City Council will be placing this on the November general election ballot, we do have time for discussion and, if appropriate, revision of the draft amendment to the Charter. We look forward to working with the City Council to either prepare an acceptable ordinance or prepare this matter for the November ballot. Regardless of which letter you send, I recommend that you address it to the City Clerk, and copy the Mayor and Members of the City Council. That is simple courtesy, standard protocol, and in this case, a good way of making sure the right people get the information. Let me know if you have further questions. / 4