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Charter Commission <br />April 28, 2016 <br />Page 4 <br />135 Commissioner Bretoi summarized that although there were differing opinions regarding ward <br />136 representation, the Commission did reach consensus to draft an amendment to move forward to <br />137 the ballot, which would allow the residents of Lino Lakes to make that decision. <br />138 <br />139 Commissioner Turcotte stated that in his opinion it would be best to have an outside neutral party <br />140 draft potential ward boundaries. <br />141 <br />142 Commissioner Juni asked if the Commission would like Mr. Kaardal to draft possible language <br />143 to address the comments made by Attorney Langel in order to amend the language, if necessary, <br />144 to move the question forward to the ballot. <br />145 <br />146 Commissioner Turcotte stated that he would also like an opinion as to whether certain aspects are <br />147 correct, noting that other cities are successfully implementing the items that this Commission has <br />148 wanted to do in the past and has been told is not allowed. <br />149 <br />150 Commissioner Johnson asked if there are more issues other than the three points identified by <br />151 Attorney Langel. <br />152 <br />153 Commissioner Lyden stated that he would like Mr. Kaardal to address the legal issues identified <br />154 by Attorney Langel as he has that expertise. <br />155 <br />156 Mr. Kaardal stated that in his opinion the City Council and Attorney Langel are going to review <br />157 the text prior to submission to the ballot. He stated that if the Commission wants to get the item <br />158 on the ballot, his opinion would be to address the items identified by Attorney Langel rather than <br />159 attempt to fight with that opinion which would only delay and possibly mean that the item would <br />160 not go onto the ballot. He stated that he could draft potential language to address the items <br />161 identified and then have an independent check completed to ensure the language is legally <br />162 compliant. He noted that there is the possibility that Attorney Langel could find other items he <br />163 does not agree with, but then the Commission could gather again to address those comments in <br />164 order to submit to the ballot. <br />165 <br />166 Commissioner Juni stated that if the Commission wants this item to move forward on the ballot a <br />167 decision needs to be made as to whether the Commission can live with the language that the City <br />168 Council determines ward boundaries and if so, then the item could perhaps move ahead to the <br />169 ballot. <br />170 <br />171 MOTION by Commissioner Bretoi, seconded by Commissioner Juni, to allow the governing <br />172 body, specifically the City Council, to draw up the ward boundaries. <br />173 <br />174 Further discussion: Vice Chair Devaney stated that he agrees that the Commission will be <br />175 stonewalled if they do not allow the City Council to draw the ward boundaries. He stated that the <br />176 membership of the City Council has changed and he feels that there is now better representation. <br />177 He stated that he would support Mr. Kaardal addressing the three items specified by Attorney <br />178 Langel in order to move the amendment forward. <br />179 <br />4 <br />