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COUNCIL MINUTES DRAFT August 13, 2012 179 that is unconstitutional. He believes that the council is attempting to take away rights from the 180 people. 181 182 The Mayor suggested that there is a problem in the leadership of the Charter Commission. There are 183 many accusations and it is coming from a small group of members that also suppress the voice of 184 other members. He has been to the last six charter meetings and has seen it at work; he will continue 185 to attend those meetings seeking a better relationship. 186 187 Council Member Roeser noted that he spoke at open mike at a Charter Commission meeting and he 188 addressed the tax cap amendment. His record as a council member will speak to his work to reduce 189 taxes. The attorney opinions on the amendment speak clearly. The mayor and council will continue 190 to attend the charter meetings and offer to work together. 191 192 Council Member Rafferty suggested that there is frustration surrounding the discussion. He also has 193 attended Charter Commission meetings and has so because he felt there is important information 194 coming from the group and unfortunately the record (minutes) hasn't always been available. He 195 recognizes that having a charter is a good thing for a city and he very much wants to work together 196 with the commission. He also urged people to review how tax caps have worked in the three other 197 cities that have them in place. 198 199 Council Member O'Donnell noted that there's been much debate and discussion and that is the nature 200 of this matter. He will not support putting the amendment on the ballot. The city needs flexibility in 201 difficult financial times. He believes that financial decisions rest with the city's elected officials and 202 if those decisions are not appropriate, the voters will make the necessary changes to their elected 203 officials. 204 205 Administrator Karlson addressed the issue of when the matter appeared on the council agenda. The 206 matter was on the agenda for the last work session (the previous Monday) and was discussed. The 207 bond attorney was present and fully discussed both amendments. The agenda for this meeting was 208 distributed at that meeting and this item was not included until the council approved it that evening; it 209 was released later on a revised agenda. He added that the commission representatives did receive a 210 copy of the recording of the work session as well as both attorney opinions. 211 212 Council Member Roeser moved to approve Resolution No. 12 -80 as presented. Council Member 213 O'Donnell seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 214 215 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT 216 217 There was no report from the Public Safety Department. 218 219 PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT 220 221 There was no report from the Public Services Department. 222 223 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT •