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elected a City Council, and under statutory law, the Council could do whatever they pleased, and that there was abuse of that power. He stated that the Charter was the result of the citizenry reaction. He stated that the Charter Commission is a body appointed by the court, to look into the matters that the State Statute did not provide, so that the citizenry can react. He stated that this is what happened in regard to the issue of term limits. He inquired if the State Supreme Court ruling regarding the unconstitutionality of term limits was specific in the State Constitution, or if it was an amendment to the State Constitution. City Attorney Long stated that he would provide a copy of the Minneapolis Term Limits Coalition vs. Keith case, which interprets a provision of the State Constitution which has the State Legislature setting eligibility and qualifications for office. He stated that the State Constitution was specific on the issue of qualifications for office, and what was determined by the Supreme Court in this case, was that you could not amend the City Charter to include term limits, as the State Constitution is the supreme document. Mr. Doty asked if this was specifically stated in the State Constitution, or if the ruling was based upon interpretation. City Attorney Long stated the State Constitution sets the qualifications for office, and the City is bound by the Supreme Court ruling. Mr. Doty stated that when there is a question of interpretation, the matter could go to the next court. He stated that other cities in other states have instituted term limits which indicates they are legal, however, interpreted under the State Supreme Court Ruling. He stated that, in fact, the Federal Supreme Court has ruled term limits to be constitutional. He stated that it is a question, and therefore could go to a higher court for . determination. He stated that the reason for having a Charter is so that the citizenry can react. He added that the right of the citizenry reaction is a form in the Constitution. Mayor Coughlin stated that Mr. Doty had been granted five minutes to speak, and requested he yield the floor. He explained, as the Charter Commission Chair can attest, the Charter states that the Council has to give a reasonable amount of time, and that the three-minute rule had been observed for many years. He stated that the reason for this is not to limit debate, but to provide the Council a reasonable amount of time for consideration of the issues, and that they not be required to make decisions at a very late hour. Council Member Stigney stated that he was also a Member of the Charter Commission, and requested, in light of the importance of this issue, moved that the Council extend the time allotted Mr. Doty by and additional three to five minutes to complete his comments. Mayor Coughlin stated that he would request that this extension be applied to all residents present. Council Member Stigney agreed. Mayor Coughlin stated that he would second the motion for the purpose of discussion, and the reason he would not support it was that they either stand by the rules or they don't. He stated that he had already flexed the rules to accommodate Mr. Dody's comments. He added that an assumption had been implied that because of this rule, they did not want to entertain the discussion, and that this was not the case. • Ms. Olson stated that she would like to offer a compromise to the situation, requesting the Council make the recommendation to add this matter to the next Council Agenda in a similar form as that 16N:\DATA\USERSVOANB\SHARE\MINUTES\CC\ 1999\07-26-99.MIN