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Charter Commission November 15, 2007 Page 7 APPROVED n 263 Chair Duffy called for an informal show of hands on the following question: Who wants to keep 264 a blanket referendum provision in the Charter where all road reconstruction projects go to a 265 referendum? 266 267 Five Commissioners voted in favor. 268 269 Chair Duffy called for an informal show of hands on the following question: Who wants to 270 require a petition for a referendum with 12% of the votes cast for mayor in the last mayoral 271 election? 272 273 Five Commissioners voted in favor, resulting in a split vote. 274 275 Chair Duffy stated the Commission's deadline is December 6th; if the Commission does not 276 resolve the issue and presents nothing to the City Council, it is likely the Council will proceed 277 with the amendment prepared by the Task Force. 278 279 Commissioner Trehus asked if the Commission does not present anything to the City Council 280 and/or if the Council rejects the Commission's proposal, whether the Council has to put 281 something on the ballot. 282 283 Ms. Marty replied the City Council is under no obligation and stated she does not know if there is /1.4\,84 an ordinance in place requiring this to be put on the ballot. 285 286 Commissioner Trehus asked if the City Council would entertain a motion from the Charter 287 Commission to postpone the matter. 288 289 Ms. Marty stated there is nothing in state law requiring the City Council to approve a particular 290 process in a particular timeframe. She added if the Council does not have anything from the 291 Charter Commission on which to act, they will likely proceed with the Task Force's proposed 292 amendment. 293 294 Commissioner Trehus stated that one of the big things with the Charter is that it lets the people 295 decide important issues. He expressed his strong belief that the Charter must give power to 296 residents to make changes. 297 298 Ms. Marty stated it appears the Commission desires to have simple majority rule as much as 299 possible, with taxes and special assessments to be included here as well. 300 301 Commissioner Stockman Maher stated it was her opinion that the Commission should keep the 302 blanket referendum provision and added that raising taxes is a big deal and people should have 303 the option to say "I don't want my taxes raised" or "okay, I want my road fixed." 304 Commissioner Stockman Maher left the meeting at 8:34 p.m. i06 7