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Charter Commission <br />November 29, 2007 <br />Page 10 <br />APPROVED <br />X396 Commissioner Storberg replied she would like to see if the Commission wants to reconsider the <br />397 percentage in general. She stated it appears this is a sticking point and she would like to see <br />398 where the other Commissioners stand on the subject. <br />399 <br />400 Commissioner Trehus and Commissioner Dahl voted in favor. Commissioner Bening and <br />401 Commissioner Bor abstained. The remainder of the Charter Commission members voted nay. <br />402 <br />403 Motion failed. <br />404 <br />405 MOTION by Commissioner Trehus that the automatic referendum currently under the Charter be <br />406 put to a vote of the Commission members and that the Charter Commission hold discussion prior <br />407 to the vote. <br />408 <br />409 Commissioner Trehus stated he felt it was important for the Commission to further discuss this <br />410 matter primarily because there was a split vote on the issue at the last meeting. <br />411 <br />412 Commissioner Dahl seconded the motion by Commissioner Trehus. <br />413 <br />414 Commissioner Trehus expressed concern about restricting the rights of voters to a referendum. <br />415 <br />416 Commissioner Carlson stated he felt the City has a problem with its roads and it must be <br />^417 addressed. He stated he is proposing that the Charter allow more freedom for staff and the <br />418 Council. He added that the residents are going to vote on the Charter amendment and if they <br />419 don't like the amendment that comes forward, they have the option to vote it down. <br />420 <br />421 Commissioner Bening proposed getting rid of the referendum. <br />422 <br />423 Chair Duffy stated this has been the main issue since the Charter Commission began its work in <br />424 July. She stated her notes from the July 19th meeting reflect that she asked everyone if they were <br />425 comfortable getting rid of the Charter blanket referendum and at that time, everyone stated they <br />426 were comfortable, as long as there is a means in place for the residents to be heard and for the <br />427 residents to be able to indicate their preferences. <br />428 <br />429 Commissioner Bor called the question. <br />430 <br />431 Commissioner Trehus and Commissioner Dahl voted in favor. Commissioners Vacha, <br />432 Aldentaler, Bening, Bor, Carlson, Storberg, and Richard Williams, and Chair Duffy voted nay. <br />433 <br />434 Motion failed. <br />435 <br />436 Commissioner Bening requested Ms. Marty's legal opinion regarding the percentage <br />437 requirements changing from year to year given the number of votes cast for mayor in the last <br />438 mayoral election. <br />439 <br />10 <br />