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Mounds View City Council May 22, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 16 City Manager, and that concerns could be addressed through the City Manager rather than directly through the Department Heads, however, this is basically the way the City currently works. He advised that before this is proposed to the voters, they should be informed regarding what the Council intends to accomplish that would benefit the residents of the City, however, he seen no firm rationale for this, at this point. Council Member Stigney stated it was very important to determine what they are attempting to accomplish, and what problems exist with the current Clerk Administrator form of government. He added that if there are specific problems, they should determine how to address those problems, rather than completely changing the form of government that they currently operate under as the constitution of the City. Council Member Stigney stated this amendment was proposed to go to the voters under State Statute, however, he believed that the Council should have the Charter Commission review this proposal to determine their opinions regarding this form of government, in that they are the overseers of the City Charter. He indicated the Charter Commission was comprised of 15 individuals who would undertake some discussion and examine the merits and benefits of this proposal, as opposed to what he has seen at the Council level. He stated that rather than submit this proposal under Section 410.12 Subd. 5, the State Statute method for placing it on the ballot, he would suggest the Council submit it to the Charter Commission for their review and recommendation, and have the Commission report back to the Council with their findings. He advised that the question could always be placed on the ballot pursuant to Chapter 410.12, however, to do so at this time would be premature. Council Member Stigney stated another concern that has not been discussed pertains to the potential cost to the residents of the City. He explained that each job duty has a bearing upon how much the City pays an individual, and it has been noted that many of the duties of the current Clerk Administrator would be passed on to the Assistant City Administrator. He advised that once those duties are passed on, that pay level would increase, because the City operates under the system that employees are paid per duties, job description, and so forth. He stated this would not benefit the voters and the residents, and he believed it be more costly, which could be considered one detriment. Council Member Stigney stated there was another issue that could present the significant potential for detriment to the residents. He explained that currently, the citizens have an opportunity to review and discuss all of the items that come before the Council, however, with the proposed form of government, this probably would not occur, as these items would go through the City Manager, who would be authorized to handle them. He stated he was opposed this, as it could create the potential for more “backroom dealings,” because the City Manager would essentially control the City, and whomever was directing that individual might have similar leanings. He stated he believed that through the process of bringing the information to the Council and requiring Council action, the issues before the Council are brought forward to the residents. He advised that one of the things they should be doing is communicating to the residents.