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Mounds View City Council May 8, 1999 <br />Regular Meeting Page 13 <br /> <br />Council Member Quick stated he agreed with Council Member Stigney in that the population of <br />Mounds View has not changed significantly since 1978 or 1979, however, the demographics <br />have changed drastically. <br /> <br />Mayor Coughlin stated every member of the Council was elected by the citizenry, and if this item <br />was to proceed, it would be on the ballot, and the citizens would ultimately decide whether they <br />like the current form of government, or would like to change it. He advised that without <br />disrespect to the Charter Commission, they are an appointed body, not an elected body, and in <br />being so, they may or may not be true representatives of the City. <br /> <br />Council Member Quick inquired who appoints the members of the Charter Commission. Mayor <br />Coughlin advised that the District Court Judge who serves over all of Ramsey County appoints <br />the members of the Commission, and the individuals are selected from those who apply. He <br />added that vacancies on the Charter Commission are not necessarily well publicized. <br /> <br />Council Member Quick stated therefore, they were not appointed by an elected body, group, or <br />individual. Mayor Coughlin stated they were appointed by an outside entity, not necessarily <br />representing Mounds View’s interest or population. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney advised that those who are appointed have generally applied for the <br />purpose of preserving and protecting the City Charter for residents’ rights. He indicated this was <br />his reason for serving on the Commission, and he was certain the members that he serves with <br />also do so for the same reason. He stated that if the Council directs that this should be the new <br />form of City government, the matter should be submitted to the Charter Commission for their <br />review and recommendation, and not under Chapter 410.12, Subd. 5. He stated he takes <br />exception to the form in which it is being presented. <br /> <br />Council Member Quick stated that if the Charter Commission serves to protect the citizens’ <br />rights, he would inquire if they have had a televised meeting. Mayor Coughlin stated to his <br />knowledge they have not. <br /> <br />Council Member Quick inquired if the Charter Commission has met in City Hall since they were <br />requested to do so. Mayor Coughlin stated no. <br /> <br />Council Member Quick stated therefore, it appears that they were meeting offsite to evade the <br />televising of their meetings. Mayor Coughlin stated they have motivations of their own, <br />however, it appears that this conclusion could be drawn. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney advised that the Charter Commission was scheduled to meet in City <br />Hall on May 11th, and this was an erroneous statement. <br /> <br />Council Member Quick stated it was not erroneous. He indicated there have been three meetings <br />that he is aware of, since the Council requested the Charter Commission to meet at City Hall and <br />be televised, however, he has not seen these meetings on television. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated his response was to the statement that the Charter <br />Commission refuses to be televised, however, they would be televised on May 11th.