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Mounds View City Council December 13, 2021 <br />Regular Meeting Page 10 <br /> <br />what was needed. He commented on the size of the Mounds View Police’s Department and <br />indicated crime was on the rise. He stated without more officers on the street, the increase in crime <br />could not be addressed. <br /> <br />Hearing no further public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 8:22 p.m. <br /> <br />Mayor Mueller requested comment from the City Attorney regarding the comments made by Mr. <br />Amundsen. City Attorney Riggs reported he assisted with the drafting of the proposed Ordinance <br />and explained the City was taking all the proper steps in order to change Chapter 7 of the charter. <br />He indicated the Council could pause and take action on the Ordinance in 30 days, if this was the <br />desire of the Council. However, he noted the Council could also opt to take action on the Ordinance <br />at this meeting. <br /> <br />Mayor Mueller questioned if the Charter Commission’s 6-3 vote on this Ordinance amendment <br />should be considered contentious because it was not a unanimous recommendation. City Attorney <br />Riggs advised the recommendation was fitting within Subdivision 7 of the Statute, noting a <br />recommendation was made by the Charter Commission. <br /> <br />Mayor Mueller commented on how the City Attorney had assisted the City with drafting charter <br />language. City Attorney Riggs indicated he had worked to draft language per the Charter <br />Commission and City staff. <br /> <br />Mayor Mueller stated it was determined to be more efficient to have the City Attorney assist with <br />drafting the language amendment. She asked if the City was acting in a nefarious manner by having <br />the City Attorney assist with drafting the Ordinance amendment language. City Attorney Riggs <br />reported City Attorney’s and staff often help in drafting charter language. <br /> <br />City Administrator Zikmund recalled that the Charter Commission adopted a motion designating <br />Kennedy & Graven as the attorney for the Commission. <br /> <br />Charter Commission Chair Warren stated he did not recall the Charter Commission making a <br />motion to designate Kennedy & Graven, but rather there was consensus to have the City Attorney <br />assist with drafting the language. He commented further on the language that was reviewed by <br />the Charter Commission members and put before the Charter Commission and individually voted <br />on. This led to the 6-3 vote recommending the Ordinance amendment to the City Council. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause questioned if the Charter Commission discussed having this item <br />determined on a ballot versus being voted on by the City Council. Charter Commission Chair <br />Warren reported the Charter Commission recommended a determination be made by the City <br />Council. <br /> <br />Council Member Bergeron asked if Chair Warren, after discussing priorities, had determined the <br />levy limit was the top priority for the Charter Commission to discuss. Charter Commission Chair <br />Warrant reported this was the case. <br /> <br />Council Member Bergeron inquired if the Council rejected three proposals from the Charter