12/03/2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 3, 2007 APPROVED 44 council will add an official receipt of the commission response to the next council 45 meeting agenda. 46 Charter Commission Chair Cori Duffy outlined the amendment proposed by the council 47 in July. The commission spent many hours over the past five months reviewing the 48 issues and attempting to balance the rights of the city and the citizens. They recognize 49 the need for a change in the existing charter language; road reconstruction is necessary 50 work. The commission took to heart a goal of identifying an improvement process that 51 can have the city and citizens working together. Ms. Duffy reviewed the significant 52 provisions of the substitute amendment. They are recommending removal of the blanket 53 referendum requirement for every project. They believe the proposed amendment will 54 serve the citizens well while allowing work to be done. They are requesting that the 55 council approve the substitute amendment for placement on the November 2008 ballot 56 for consideration by the public. 57 The council acknowledged the hard work of the commission. 58 The council reviewed process. 59 Karen Marty, attorney for the Charter Commission, noted that up to the point of putting 60 something on the ballot, the commission or the council could change their proposal. The 61 charter commission could change their proposal and the council could change their 62 proposal, however, input on changes from the charter commission would be appropriate. 63 The mayor suggested that all council members should have the time to review the 64 proposals. If questions arise through that process, they should be answered. A good 65 understanding of the proposal is the way to start. 66 A council member asked if the commission discussed how the feasibility study element 67 fits into the process and if there could be certain cases where it would be appropriate to 68 have a neighborhood pay for a study? 69 Ms. Duffy added that the amendment speaks to the fact that in some cases residents are 70 interested in road improvements but not necessarily the water and sewer. 71 Another council member noted two portions of the substitute amendment that deal with 72 that element (Page 2, ; and Page 4, Subject 2, Preferences counted). 73 Attorney Marty explained that the commission discussed and recommended use of the 74 word "may" over "shall" allowing the city council to make the decision about going 75 forward with a project, including a feasibility study. 76 A council member noted that the 12% voter requirement presented in Section 8.09 stands 77 out because, based on the type of election and candidates, that could be a moving target. 78 The council concurred that the matter will be on the council agenda but not to consider 79 placement on the ballot as yet. The council will take an official action to receive their 80 substitute amendment. They will certainly notify the commission when discussion is 81 planned. 82 The council plans to discuss questions and process and perhaps have some type of group 83 meeting within the first quarter of 2008. 84 The substitute amendment will be referred to the city attorney for review.