Misc Documents - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

} � L ROSEVILLE INITIATIVE & REFERENDUM SURVEY COMMENTARY BY AL SANDS 1. Percentages under the columns initiative, referendum, and recall indicate that those items are present in that city's charter, and show the percent of petitioners needed., based on the base for calculation as indicated. Lino Lakes requires a higher percent of petitioners for a special election. If blank, it means they do not have that feature in the charter. FREQUENCY RANGE OF COMMON VOTERS INITIATIVE 17/22 or 77% 5 -20% 10 % or less REFERENDUM 19/22 or 86% 2 - 20% 15 % or less RECALL 12/22 or 55% 2 - 25% 25% 2. 5 year use refers to the use of citizen's initiative or referendums. 5 year other refers to other city elections held by city where citizens were given a vote, but not because of I &R. When mayor Joy Tierney of Plymouth was here, she said that they always put some bonding in with each city proposal so that citizens are given the right to vote on the issue and so that I &R are not required. That is a decision the Plymouth City Council made to assure public support was behind the proposal. Of the twenty two cities responding, 4 used initiative or referendum during the past 5 years. There is no evidence of over-use or abuse that I can determine. 3. The most important referendum, in my opinion, was the Fridley vote, where the city council voted to put in a new city tax on utilities (gas and electric) last December. It was unpopular and a citizen referendum to repeal was organized. The repeal vote passed by a 4 to 1 margin and the ordinance was repealed. Without the right to referendum in their charter, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to reject the new tax. This shows the importance of having I &R in place before needed, so that it is there when needed, like an insurance policy. 4. Failed proposals for a city center in Blaine, a community center in Richfield, and an ice arena in White Bear Lake show the need to get out an promote and justify the need., and to insure that the plan is not overly expensive and grandiose compared to voters willingness and ability to pay. 5. Two out of 24 cities who have home rule charter in the metro area did not respond. Twenty two, or 92% responded. I know Columbia Heights had a referendum on a community center. M �